Ku Klux Klan

Lesson Title: The Ku Klux Klan – Racism, Terror and White Supremacy in 1920s America (History / Civil Rights)
This hard-hitting and informative KS3 History/RE lesson investigates the rise and influence of the Ku Klux Klan during the 1920s. Students explore the beliefs, tactics, and impact of the KKK, with a focus on racial violence, intimidation, and links to wider themes of prejudice, Jim Crow laws, and civil rights. Using powerful primary sources, images, and structured questions, learners reflect on how systemic racism was upheld and challenged in U.S. society.

Lesson Aims:

Understand the origins and revival of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s

Identify who the KKK targeted and the forms of violence they used

Analyse primary sources to evaluate the impact of racial terrorism

Explore how the Klan used Christian symbolism and secrecy to gain influence

Examine why the government and law enforcement failed to stop them

Understand the wider context of Jim Crow laws, segregation, and institutional racism

Evaluate how media exposure, scandals, and civil rights movements led to the Klan’s decline

Practise extended writing skills through structured source analysis and exam-style questions

Perfect for GCSE History (Civil Rights in the USA, 20th Century USA, or American society topics). Also suitable for cross-curricular Citizenship and PSHE discussions on race, justice, and equality.