Ku Klux Klan is a name that perhaps everyone has heard at least once in their lifetime. Most associate this group with a terrible history of African American oppression and hatred through the use of grotesque methods of torture and killing. Some may wonder how and why such a horrible organization was formed. The name Nathan Bedford Forrest may not be one that is heard very often, but it is to this man who helped to get the Klan up and running in its early years.
Nathan Bedford Forrest served as a General for the Confederate army during the Civil War and was said to have been one of the strongest leaders of the Confederate army. Forrest was the oldest of nine children and was thrust into the role of caretaker after his father passed away when Forrest was just sixteen years old. 1 A tragedy such as this could take its toll on a young person, but instead of falling down, Forrest quickly began making a name for himself. He began by working with his uncle to trade horses and then later moved on to the business of buying and selling slaves and real estate. Forrest became very successful in his businesses and in turn became a very wealthy man. 2
When his home state of Tennessee made the decision to secede from the Union, Nathan Bedford Forrest wasted no time in volunteering as a private soldier. 3 He was well known in the area and moved up the ranks to earn his title of General rather quickly. Forrest was said to have been a fearless man who had no problems taking action quickly and forcefully. He thought of his men as his own flesh and blood and was quick to straighten them out if necessary. 4
The Ku Klux Klan was formed shortly after the Civil War ended and the group, like most groups in the South at the time, were attempting to oppress African Americans by any means necessary. A group such as this would need a leader who was not afraid to take charge and execute direction. It would appear the position of Grand Wizard for the Ku Klux Klan was a perfect fit for Forrest. Not only did Forrest have leadership and fighting experience but he was a former slave owner who had, very early on, made it his business to buy and sell slaves and had become very wealthy in the process. The Klan was still in its infancy when Forrest took position as the first Grand Wizard in 1867. However, this title would be short lived for Forrest as he decided to separate himself from the Klan in their early years after realizing the Klan was growing at a rapid rate and his authority would very soon no longer reign supreme. 5
The Ku Klux Klan would spend many years using different tactics to intimidate and oppress African Americans in the United States. It was not until Congress passed and began to carry out the Enforcement Acts that many of the activities carried out by the Klan finally began to decline. The Acts were put in place to help protect the rights of African Americans and hold all parties responsible who were caught attempting oppression. 6 Although Nathan Bedford Forrest only spent a short period of time with the Ku Klux Klan, it is possible that his popularity in the area allowed the organization to rise quickly and spread throughout the South.
- Jac Weller, “The Logistics of Nathan Bedford Forrest,” Military Affairs 17, no. 4 (1953): 162. ↵
- Weller, (1953): 162. ↵
- Richard Tillinghast, “Nathan Bedford Forrest: Born to Fight.” Sewanee Review 123, no. 4 (Fall 2015): 605 ↵
- Weller, (1953): 169. ↵
- Court Carney, “The Contested Image of Nathan Bedford Forrest.” The Journal of Southern History 67, no. 3 (2001): 603. ↵
- Alan Brinkley, American History: Connecting with the Past Volume 2, 15 edition. (McGraw-Hill Education, 2014): 414. ↵
71 comments
Aaron Mcglown
Well written and researched article. It’s sad looking back at history and remembering all the horrible acts this group has done. You did a good job on describing the role Nathan Bedford Forrest played in the Ku Klux Klan. What if Forrest would have stayed in the group? Would he be able to rule as he did before? Overall, very informative article.
Tina Valdez
It is pretty impressive that Nathan Bedford Forrest moved up the ranks quickly. His mentality was definitely one to notice as well – thinking of his men as his own flesh and blood. This explains the rapid spread of the organization. Your article was fascinating in its content especially because of your topic.
Joshua Tinajero
I didn’t know that the Ku Klux Klan dated back to the civil war. It’s amazing that so many people were persistent in oppressing other people just because of their skin color. Great article!
Aaron Jaramillo
Great article. It saddens me that this group has done such horrible acts. I would have like to see a bit more information on Nathan Bedford Forrest role as the Grand Wizard. Its also sad that the only reason that he left the organization was that it was growing too fast and he was not going to reign supreme.
Erik Rodriguez
Awesome article! I had no idea who Nathan Bedford was! I’ve always been generally informed about the klan and there horrible actions. However, after reading this article, I now know exactly who started the klan and his journey to get it going. It is quite amazing to know how someone of his stature can grow up to start something so detrimental and oppressing. Even with humble beginnings, the fact that his mind still led him to create a movement like the KKK is just insane!
Overall, awesome job! Very interesting and informative!
Keep up the good work!
Mariana Sandoval
It was interesting to read about the origin of the Klan. It makes sense that it would have been formed after the Civil War in order for southern white males to keep order over their old ways of life.
Esperanza Mauricio
It was interesting to know that the Ku Klux Klan had such a figure as its leader for a short time. Knowing that his power would have less authority over the quick growth of the Klan showed how smart and clever a man Mr. Forrest was.
Rafael Ortiz Salas
It’s interesting to know the beginnings of the KKK and his leader Nathan Bedford. It amazes me that Nathan was a humble and nice person, but still had something against African Americans. I hope one day the KKK vanish, but it is still good to know their history. Great article.
Jezel Luna
This was my first time being informed about Nathan Bedford. I am shocked to hear he started off so caring and humble in taking care of his family, to becoming the leader of such an offensive group. Other than being the leader of the KKK, it’s good to know that he had accomplished other things as well. Great choice for a topic!
Yesenia Cardenas
Growing up I never really knew what the Klu Klux Klan was. All i was told in school was that it was bad people. This article was very informative and answered many of my questions.