The first film we viewed for this topic was the classic film, The Birth of a Nation by D.W. Griffith. Considered by many critics as one of the most important pieces of cinematic history, the 1915 movie rewrites history portraying the Negro as the downfall of the American society and the Ku Klux Klan as the savior of a nation. Obviously we can't go into too much detail, being that this is such an important movie, but the basic plot of the film revolves around a southern family who is forced to deal with the reconstruction after the loss in the civil war. As the blacks gain power, they are portrayed as becoming more violent and uncontrollable. Confederate soldiers in Tennessee started a secret organization and even made up a hierarchy within the organization. This allowed for the people to organize and even gave those within the group someone to follow.
People say the birth of a nation wasn't responsible for originating the cycle of anti-black violence in the south, certainly increase’s lynching and the killing of the black. Its also stated that it made them well popularized in the eyes of some people. In that case the Klan in some way wins, more so in The Birth of a Nation, but even
the Klansmen essentially got away with the murder.
Another explanation for the actions of the men in this movie could be, There is know way these men would have carried out these actions had they been acting alone. But, when you get in a large group the likelihood of getting into any kind of trouble becomes very small. In conclusion it becomes clear that the public's view of the Klan has changed dramatically.
Bibliography
Mast, Gerald. "The birth of a Nation and Intollerance." A short history of the movies. 4th ed. New York: Macmillan ;, 1986. 63-73. Print.
Smith, Geoffrey. "The Birth of a Nation."The Oxford history of world cinema. Oxford: Oxford
People say the birth of a nation wasn't responsible for originating the cycle of anti-black violence in the south, certainly increase’s lynching and the killing of the black. Its also stated that it made them well popularized in the eyes of some people. In that case the Klan in some way wins, more so in The Birth of a Nation, but even
the Klansmen essentially got away with the murder.
Another explanation for the actions of the men in this movie could be, There is know way these men would have carried out these actions had they been acting alone. But, when you get in a large group the likelihood of getting into any kind of trouble becomes very small. In conclusion it becomes clear that the public's view of the Klan has changed dramatically.
Bibliography
Mast, Gerald. "The birth of a Nation and Intollerance." A short history of the movies. 4th ed. New York: Macmillan ;, 1986. 63-73. Print.
Smith, Geoffrey. "The Birth of a Nation."The Oxford history of world cinema. Oxford: Oxford