No question the KKK was formed by Jeffersonian Democrats to counter harsh reconstruction. As others have alluded, the KKK was not an official arm of the Democrat Party.
I believe the KKK became corrupted at some point. I know that Nathan Bedford Forest left the KKK and spoke out against it after doing so
The KKK was a central piece of Southern culture. It was usually tied in tightest with law enforcement especially at the local sheriff level. The KKK served as social step ladder of sorts. Membership was always a bit quiet but had its benefits. I had family, great uncles that were at the same points in time: Klansmen, Deputy Sheriffs and bootleggers. These three areas were related and controlled together. In Virginia the klan worked for the BYRD MACHINE the political family of note in Va. democrat politics. Judges, Sheriffs, General Assembly and State Senators were all the high ranking klan officials as well. What is often forgotten is that under the klan blacks were oppress while W.T. (White Trash) whites were offered access to jobs, positions and power.
The same people who celebrate independence day celebrate the the United States of America starting a war to force another nation back into the union.
Was the KKK Democrat? Maybe. Was the Democrat party the same party prior to 1863? No
How was the Democrat Party different before 1863?
@Facci leaders of the Democratic party prior the out break of the civil war were largely anti federalist in nature.
Reconstruction also realigned the party to different views towards the Federal State along with different goals.
Politifact and snopes both creatively lie. Almost every time anything has to do with politics.
I don't use anything but my own reseach if you don't use all possible evidence of fact's your cheating yourself of possible truth
The KKK was founded by Democrats. Although I have heard some nonsense about how the parties have "flipped" since then. Wasn't that long ago that dems were fighting against integration too.