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William C. Miller thesis

 Collection — Folder: S0964
Identifier: S0964

Scope and Contents

This collection contains William C. Miller's thesis, "The Indiana Klan and Its Influence on Hoosier Politics," circa 1970s. The thesis discusses the influence of the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana during the 1920s and the rise "in the fortunes and power of almost all the leaders of the movement," most notably David Curtis (D.C.) Stephenson. Miller's thesis advisor was Professor Joel Silbey of Cornell University.

Dates

  • circa 1970s

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Historical Note

"The Ku Klux Klan rose to prominence in Indiana politics and society after World War I. It was made up of native-born, white Protestants of many income and social levels. In the changing world of the 1920s, the group was against Catholics, Jews, African-Americans, immorality, and drinking. Nationally, Indiana was said to have the most powerful Ku Klux Klan. Though it counted a high number of members statewide, its importance peaked in the 1924 election of Edward Jackson for governor. A short time later, the scandal that surrounded D.C. Stephenson destroyed the image of the Ku Klux Klan as upholders of law and order. By 1926 the Ku Klux Klan was crippled and discredited. Later efforts to revive the Ku Klux Klan in the 1960s and 1970s were attempted, but its message was not received in large numbers, as it had been forty years previously."

From: Indiana State Library. "Ku Klux Klan in Indiana" subject guide. Indiana Division. Accessed September 25, 2017. https://www.in.gov/library/2848.htm.

Extent

0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically.

Custodial History

This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation.

Accruals

No further additions are expected.

Processing Information

Collection processing completed 2017/08/03 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid created 2017/08/03 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid revised 2017/09/25 by Brittany Kropf.
Title
William C. Miller thesis
Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671