William Allen White and the KKK in Kansas
Date and Time: October 25, 2022, 7:00 PM CT
Location:
Tonganoxie Historical Society, PO Box 785, 201 West Washington St, Tonganoxie
(view on google maps)
The 1920s saw the re-emergence of the Ku Klux Klan across America, and sparked fear and violence against African Americans and other minority groups. As the editor of the Emporia Gazette, White was acutely aware of the growing presence of the KKK in Kansas following World War I. Seeing no candidates free of Klan influence, White declared, "I want to be governor to free Kansas from the disgrace of the Ku Klux Klan." This presentation follows the raucous two-month campaign that had White traveling over 2,700 miles to deliver 104 speeches, all directed at expelling the KKK. Though he did not win, White's efforts led to a Kansas Supreme Court ruling that outlawed the Klan in Kansas. Presented by Beverley Olson Buller.
This presentation is part of "21st Century Civics," a collection of resources that invite Kansans to participate in community discussions and learn more about the history of American democracy and the shared responsibilities of citizenship. "21st Century Civics" is made possible with support from "A More Perfect Union: America at 250," an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Sponsored by: Tonganoxie Historical Society
For more information about this event, please contact:
Kenneth Mark
http://www.tonganoxiehistoricalsociety.org