A Level History - America - Practice Exam

What significant event contributed to the decline of the KKK in 1925?

1. A major loss in membership due to economic hardship

2. The conviction of Grand Wizard David Stephenson for murder

3. The passing of new immigration laws

4. A rise in civil rights activism

The correct answer is: The conviction of Grand Wizard David Stephenson for murder

The conviction of Grand Wizard David Stephenson for murder is indeed a pivotal moment in the decline of the Ku Klux Klan during the 1920s. Stephenson's trial and subsequent conviction in 1925 brought significant national attention to the Klan and highlighted the organization's violent and criminal activities. As the leader of the KKK in Indiana, his actions and the sensational nature of the trial exposed the Klan's underlying issues, including corruption and extremism. This event tarnished the Klan’s public image, leading to a decrease in support and membership as the organization became associated more with violence than with its purported goals of social reform. While other factors, like economic hardship and changing public sentiment regarding immigration and civil rights, played significant roles in the Klan's overall decline, it was Stephenson's conviction that served as a specific catalyst that highlighted the internal problems within the organization and ultimately contributed to its diminished influence in American society.