On using the word "terrorism" to refer Ku Klux Klan violence during Reconstruction

PatYoung

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When I use the word "terrorism" to describe white supremacist violence during Reconstruction, invariably someone posts a comment calling this a politicized modern term. Is it really an anachronism?
 

rittmeister

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the word most like was around but not in use and probably meant sth in connection with hms terror. what i want to say is i wouldn't use it without a disclaimer like 'what we today perceive as terrorism'.
 

jgoodguy

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When I use the word "terrorism" to describe white supremacist violence during Reconstruction, invariably someone posts a comment calling this a politicized modern term. Is it really an anachronism?
I'd use terrorism and terrorist to describe the actions of the KKK and like organizations.

A quick google finds this which predates the Reconstruction.

The History of the Word 'Terrorism' ... The words terrorism and terrorist came to English as translations of words used in French during the period known as the Reign of Terror (1793-94), when the new government punished—usually by death—those people thought to be against the ongoing French Revolution.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/history-of-the-word-terrorism#:~:text=The%20words%20terrorism%20and%20terrorist,against%20the%20ongoing%20French%20Revolution.
The History of the Word 'Terrorism' | Merriam-Websterhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/history-of-the-word-terrorism#:~:text=The%20words%20terrorism%20and%20terrorist,against%20the%20ongoing%20French%20Revolution.
 

rittmeister

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Look at US newspapers 1865 to 1917(Chronicling America) there were 17000 articles containing the word terrorist and 680,000 articles containing the word terrorism.

The words appear to be widely in use.
got a link?
 

jgoodguy

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got a link?
The New York herald. [volume], November 04, 1871, Page 6, Image 6

Smoking gun?
'
And here we have it broadly intimated from
Washington that while It has been discovered
that these Ku Klux Klans west and south of
Virginia exist in all the Southern States, the
grand object of the organization Is nothing
less than the control of the next Presidential
election in the States concerned, fr6m the Caro
lines to Texas, by a system of terrorism
whieh will constrain the negroes, for their per
sonal safety, to vote the democratic ticket or
keep away from the polls. '
 

rittmeister

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The New York herald. [volume], November 04, 1871, Page 6, Image 6

Smoking gun?
'
And here we have it broadly intimated from
Washington that while It has been discovered
that these Ku Klux Klans west and south of
Virginia exist in all the Southern States, the
grand object of the organization Is nothing
less than the control of the next Presidential
election in the States concerned, fr6m the Caro
lines to Texas, by a system of terrorism
whieh will constrain the negroes, for their per
sonal safety, to vote the democratic ticket or
keep away from the polls. '
i daresay, @PatYoung keep on using it
 

jgoodguy

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Maybe he will fact check here first next time.
 

Joshism

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When I use the word "terrorism" to describe white supremacist violence during Reconstruction, invariably someone posts a comment calling this a politicized modern term. Is it really an anachronism?
The term "terrorism" is politicized in modern times certainly. There are a lot of Isms recklessly thrown around. They still have a meaning, even if the disingenuous and ignorant sometimes misuse them.

Terrorism existed before the term was coined. So did guerrilla warfare. Rape existed before women had legal rights. Edward The Black Prince practiced total war, whether he called it that or not. Words have meanings.
 

diane

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When I use the word "terrorism" to describe white supremacist violence during Reconstruction, invariably someone posts a comment calling this a politicized modern term. Is it really an anachronism?
Just the word 'terrorism' isn't strictly a political term - how else can you describe what the KKK was doing? In fact, it was insurrection as well.
 

Kirk's Raider's

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When I use the word "terrorism" to describe white supremacist violence during Reconstruction, invariably someone posts a comment calling this a politicized modern term. Is it really an anachronism?
Which of course brings to mind the good old Irish Chestnut ," One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter". Terrorism is as old as the hills it just means killing non combatants to forward ones politcal goals by cowering civilians and or goverment's to do now to the will of what ever group is doing the terrorizing.
The US government happily committed terrorism such has various Massacres of American Indians, the atomic bombing of two Japanese cities and ignoring Massacres of Vietnamese civilians by the US and South Korean armies.
Also President Kennedy sent support to the FNLA in Angola that murdered Portuguese civilians and Portugal was and is still a NATO Ally.
So are we entitled as US citizens to throw stones at folks that we call terrorists? Sure why not?
Leftyhunter
 

O' Be Joyful

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the
grand object of the organization Is nothing
less than the control of the next Presidential
election in the States concerned, fr6m the Caro
lines to Texas, by a system of terrorism
whieh will constrain the negroes, for their per
sonal safety, to vote the democratic ticket or
keep away from the polls. '

What was old is apparently new again.

Or should I say, continuing?
 

Joshism

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Which of course brings to mind the good old Irish Chestnut ," One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter". Terrorism is as old as the hills it just means killing non combatants to forward ones politcal goals by cowering civilians and or goverment's to do now to the will of what ever group is doing the terrorizing.
The US government happily committed terrorism such has various Massacres of American Indians, the atomic bombing of two Japanese cities and ignoring Massacres of Vietnamese civilians by the US and South Korean armies.
When a legitimate government, especially the military, does it it isn't terrorism. Terror tactics, and potentially a war crime. Arguably immoral. But not terrorism.

The difference between terrorists and freedom fighters are the targets and the tactics.
 
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O' Be Joyful

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The difference between terrorists and freedom fighters is the targets and the tactics.
Yes.

When a legitimate government, especially the military, does it it isn't terrorism. Terror tactics, and potentially a war crime. Arguably immoral. But not terrorism.
In the eye of the beholder.

Was Washita in your eyes or mind legit?

I will not even get into what nazi germany and the soviets did. Both of which were recognized as legit. gov'ts.

Not terrorism? Massage my...
 

jgoodguy

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When a legitimate government, especially the military, does it it isn't terrorism. Terror tactics, and potentially a war crime. Arguably immoral. But not terrorism.

The difference between terrorists and freedom fighters are the targets and the tactics.
White folks feared the KKK well up into the 1980s. I remember the fear from my childhood and in the 1980s friends that did scab work for the mines came back with stories.
 

diane

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They used to march in the parades in Ashland Or well into the late 70s. Still have a den or whatever in Grants Pass. They liked to pretend they were just another civic minded fraternity or harmless club, too.
 

Kirk's Raider's

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When a legitimate government, especially the military, does it it isn't terrorism. Terror tactics, and potentially a war crime. Arguably immoral. But not terrorism.

The difference between terrorists and freedom fighters are the targets and the tactics.
I think the victims would disagree. By the above standard if a legitimate government massacres or bombs or supports a terrorist group which many goverment's have done although the US in the least that fine and dandy but if a non govermental group does it there evil.
Certainly the Nazis and Japanese during WWII were legitimate goverment's after all they were diplomatically recognized throught WWII by some nations.
Terrorism is just a political technique whether it's good or bad is in the eye of the beholder.
Leftyhunter
 

Kirk's Raider's

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White folks feared the KKK well up into the 1980s. I remember the fear from my childhood and in the 1980s friends that did scab work for the mines came back with stories.
Why would white folks fear the Klan?
Leftyhunter
 

jgoodguy

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Why would white folks fear the Klan?
Leftyhunter
My ex-wife's father left town to avoid the clan.
A terrorist group is not that discriminating that white is a pass.

Force membership means contributions, don't go out on a raid might get retribution.
 
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