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The Rise and Fall of the Ku Klux Klan in New Jersey
This revealing history chronicles the rise of the KKK in 1920s New Jersey and the backlash it faced from the state's immigrant communities.
As one of the nation's most diverse states, New Jersey is celebrated for its strong communities built across religious and ethnic lines. But the Mid-Atlantic state is not immune to the ills of bigotry and racism. When the Ku Klux Klan began to reemerge in the first half of the twentieth century, it found a home for a time in New Jersey. Arthur H. Bell, a former vaudevillian turned KKK Grand Dragon, used the tactics of public theater to advertise and recruit for the secret society.
In a time of heightened xenophobia during World War I, many white Protestants were already suspicious of their Catholic and Jewish neighbors--a trend Arthur used to his advantage. But the organization's rise was soon met with a forceful backlash. At a massive riot in Perth Amboy, thousands of immigrants besieged a few hundred Klansmen and ran them out of town. This detailed history chronicles the brief rise of the Ku Klux Klan and how brave New Jersey residents collectively stood up to bigotry.
As one of the nation's most diverse states, New Jersey is celebrated for its strong communities built across religious and ethnic lines. But the Mid-Atlantic state is not immune to the ills of bigotry and racism. When the Ku Klux Klan began to reemerge in the first half of the twentieth century, it found a home for a time in New Jersey. Arthur H. Bell, a former vaudevillian turned KKK Grand Dragon, used the tactics of public theater to advertise and recruit for the secret society.
In a time of heightened xenophobia during World War I, many white Protestants were already suspicious of their Catholic and Jewish neighbors--a trend Arthur used to his advantage. But the organization's rise was soon met with a forceful backlash. At a massive riot in Perth Amboy, thousands of immigrants besieged a few hundred Klansmen and ran them out of town. This detailed history chronicles the brief rise of the Ku Klux Klan and how brave New Jersey residents collectively stood up to bigotry.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2019
6 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Joseph G. Bilby
23 books5 followersJoseph G. Bilby is Assistant Curator of the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey. A graduate of Seton Hall University, he served as a lieutenant in the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam. He has received the Jane Clayton Award for contributions to Monmouth County (New Jersey) history and an Award of Merit from the New Jersey Historical Commission for his contributions to the state's military history.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 24, 2022
I'm born and raised in New Jersey. I grabbed this because I love history books about my home state, but this was awful. No, not the writing. I found that wonderful and fact-filled. The subject matter itself. Even though this history is a hundred years ago or more, it still shines an awful light on our racism, bigotry and awfulness as people. I will be reading many more books from the authors and very soon!
May 17, 2022
This book takes place in my home state and the irony of the places this group were active was not lost on me. It was a steady read and I appreciated the historic photos. It was interesting to learn how the leaders of this organization (circa 1920s-40s) were not-too-bright, exaggerating megalomaniacs that couldn’t pay many of their bills despite their touted membership numbers. They attracted members/sympathizers whom were ignorant, full-of-fear and/or just outright opportunists (e.g., politicians) that dropped them like a hot potato once their needs were serviced or they suddenly deemed the affiliation as negative.
The great takeaway for me is that New Jersey and this organization were not “Perfect Together”…as our state tourism slogan proclaims. 😜 Seriously though, I’m proud that the people of NJ actively fought back and made the state an uneasy environment that largely contributed to the KKK’s failure.
The great takeaway for me is that New Jersey and this organization were not “Perfect Together”…as our state tourism slogan proclaims. 😜 Seriously though, I’m proud that the people of NJ actively fought back and made the state an uneasy environment that largely contributed to the KKK’s failure.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews