A Level History - America - Practice Exam

What factor contributed to the rise of the Second Ku Klux Klan starting in 1915?

1. An increase in immigrant populations

2. New laws protecting civil rights

3. Declining birth rates among white Americans

4. The film "Birth of a Nation"

The correct answer is: The film "Birth of a Nation"

The rise of the Second Ku Klux Klan, which began in 1915, was significantly influenced by the film "Birth of a Nation." This film, directed by D.W. Griffith, depicted the Reconstruction era and portrayed the original Ku Klux Klan as heroic figures fighting against the perceived chaos brought about by African Americans and Northern abolitionists. Although critically controversial and widely criticized for its racist themes, the film had a profound cultural impact and contributed to the revival of the Klan. It romanticized white supremacy and galvanized support for organized racism, leading to a re-establishment of the Klan as a powerful social and political force across the United States in the early 20th century. The other factors, while relevant to the social climate of the time, did not have the same direct impact on the resurgence of the Klan. Increased immigrant populations may have created tensions that the Klan exploited, but it was not the singular catalyst. New laws protecting civil rights represented a pushback against systemic racism rather than a contributing factor to the rise of the Klan. Declining birth rates among white Americans may reflect societal changes, but they were not a primary driver of the Klan's resurgence. Thus, the film itself was pivotal in