Editing Ku Klux Klan (section)

===The second Klan (1915 - 1944)===
The second Klan (which introduced much of what we traditionally associate with the organization, most notably the full body white robes and the practice of cross burning<ref>[https://timeline.com/why-does-the-ku-klux-klan-burn-crosses-they-got-the-idea-from-a-movie-75a70f7ab135 Why does the Ku Klux Klan burn crosses? They got the idea from a movie.], ''Timeline''</ref>) was founded by [[William Joseph Simmons]] in 1915 during the height of the [[Jim Crow laws|Jim Crow system]]<ref>[https://www.lva.virginia.gov/exhibits/mitchell/jimcro.htm Jim Crow and the Ku Klux Klan], The Library of Virginia</ref> and was largely inspired by the film ''The Birth of a Nation'', which chronicled the exploits of the first Klan.<ref>[https://www.history.com/news/kkk-birth-of-a-nation-film How 'The Birth of a Nation' Revived the Ku Klux Klan], ''History Channel''</ref>

This new incarnation of the KKK was the first to adopt [[Anti-Semitism|anti-semitism]] and [[Anti-Catholicism|anti-catholicism]].<ref>[https://www.ncronline.org/news/book-reviews/modern-hates-anti-catholic-roots Modern hate's anti-Catholic roots], ''National Catholic Reporter''</ref> President [[Woodrow Wilson]] was known to be an ardent supporter of the Klan during his presidency.<ref>[https://www.history.com/news/woodrow-wilson-racial-segregation-jim-crow-ku-klux-klan How Woodrow Wilson Tried to Reverse Black American Progress], ''History Channel''</ref>

It was also during this time that the Klan became a fraternal organization with a national and state structure.

The second Klan largely collapsed in the late 1920's after Grand Dragon [[D. C. Stephenson]] savagely raped and partially [[cannibal]]ized a young woman, leading to her death. In disgust large numbers of people abandoned the Klan, and law enforcement stepped up efforts to fight the Klan.<ref>[https://www.in.gov/library/collections-and-services/indiana/subject-guides-to-indiana-collection-materials/ku-klux-klan-in-indiana/ Ku Klux Klan in Indiana], Indiana State Library</ref> It continued to exist into the 1930's but had lost a considerable amount of prestige, and faded away completely by 1944.