Summary: In this lesson, students will explore how demographic and social change served as a source of xenophobia and intolerance in New Jersey and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in New Jersey. The lesson includes extensive historical background and eight primary source documents as context for an essay prompt: How did the rise of the KKK demonstrate conflict in New Jersey over the major social and demographic changes of the 1920s?
Overarching questions:
- CIVICS: How well does the government balance individual rights and the common good, including the need to maintain order, safety and a healthy environment, during this time period?
- CIVICS: Have individuals and groups influenced public policy during this time period? If so, how and what has been the impact?
- NEW JERSEY: How have changes in New Jersey during this time period influenced U.S. history?
NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:
- 6.1.12.CivicsHR.8.a: Analyze primary and secondary sources to explain how social intolerance, xenophobia, and fear of anarchism led to restrictive immigration and refugee laws, and the violation of the human rights of individuals and groups.
- 6.1.12.HistoryCC.8.a: Make evidence-based inferences to explain why the Great Migration led to heightened racial tensions, restrictive laws, a rise in repressive organizations, and an increase in violence.
Link to Lesson: The KKK in New Jersey