The Ku Klux Klan unmasked: Extraordinary images from a divisive era capture a day of reckoning when 50,000 white supremacists marched on Capitol Hill



The eerie, ghost-like hordes boldly parade on the country’s most illustrious avenue, in a performance that feels unthinkable in today's world.

More than 50,000 of the Ku Klux Klan gathered in the shadow of the Capitol’s dome for two processions in Washington DC, in 1925 and 1926.

The phantom-like figures, out in numbers on Pennsylvania Avenue pulled off a show of force that shocked and frightened the nation, even as, widely discredited, the group began to wither away.

Ghostly vision: More 50,000 of the Ku Klux Klan gathered in the shadow of the Capitol¿s dome for two parades in Washington DC in 1925 and 1926

Like other right wing movements, the Klan had thrived in the early 1920s after it was revived in 1915.

The original Klan in the 1860s and 70s consisted of post-civil war lynch-mobs, terrorising freed slaves in the South.

But, the 1915 release of a silent film, ‘The Birth of a Nation’, that glorified the hateful bands of brothers, instantly created a craze for the Klan, prompting a rebirth of the violent group as a white supremacist organization.

In part reacting against the modernism of the 20th century, and the loose morals of the flapper age, the new version’s hatred was directed mainly at the large numbers of Catholic and Jewish immigrants arriving in the U.S.

Americans had become progressively more xenophobic because of the burden of their involvement in WWI, and resentful of the swathes of immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe,

At the same time some whites in the North resented the arrival of African Americans who had moved north during the 'Great Migration' to work in war jobs.

The beginning of civil rights for blacks was one rallying call. Another was provided by prohibition. The opposition of bootlegging helped Klansmen find a common cause. The group expanded rapidly – into the north, attacking both blacks and whites for moral lapses

Terrifying sight: The phantom-like figures out in numbers on Pennsylvania Avenue pulled off a show of force that shocked and frightened the nation

Reactionary surge: Like other right wing movements the Klan had thrived in the early 1920s after it was revived in 1915

Klan leader: Self-appointed Imperial Wizard Hiram W Evans, pictured, led the procession, in a spectacle far grander and showier than even he had predicted

Early origins: The original Klan in the 1860s and 70s consisted of post-civil war lynch-mobs terrorising freed slaves in the South but it had been reborn in 1915

Terrifying trend: The 1915 release of a film ¿The Birth of a Nation¿ that glorified the hateful bands of brothers, created a sick craze for the Klan

Racial hatred: The group¿s hatred was directed mainly at the large numbers of Catholic and Jewish immigrants arriving in the U.S.

A debate raged in Washington over whether the Klan should be allowed to march. Some feared a bloodbath.

But ultimately the group were given the same right as any other group to march, with the proviso that it was without masks.

50-60,000 of the sinister robed followers, both men and women as well as children, gathered east of the Capitol, marching shoulder to shoulder, 10 or 20 abreast.

Higher ranks wore white satin, the rank and file of the organisation had donned cheaper fabrics .

Self appointed Imperial wizard Hiram W Evans led the procession, along with JM Frazer, in a spectacle far grander and showier than even their leaders had predicted.

Family event: 50-60,000 of the sinister robed followers, men women and children gathered east of the Capitol, marching shoulder to shoulder

Hard times: In the 1920s Americans were growing progressively more xenophobic because of the burden of their involvement in WWI

Fancy dress: Higher ranks wore white satin, the rank and file of the organisation had donned cheaper fabrics

Leadership: The sight of the shadowy organisation's leaders parading on the capital's most historic avenues must have struck fear into the hearts of African Americans

Outlook: The parade was seen in some quarters as an opportunity for the northern chapters to wrest power from the South

Leadership: Imperial wizard Hiram W Evans led the procession, centre along with JM Frazer, right

The sight of the shadowy organisation's leaders parading openly on the capital's most historic avenues must have struck fear into the hearts of African Americans living in the North.



The march’s aims were somewhat ambiguous. The teaching of evolution in public schools was a burning issue at the time. The procession was seen in some quarters as an opportunity for the northern chapters to wrest power from the South. Others viewed it as an attempt to boost morale for a dying cause