f the Ku Klux Klan saw the great increase in growth of the group and decided to have a national convention to help maintain order within the group. The Ku Klux Klan National Convention was held in April of 1867 at the Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Here the Grand Cyclops from all the dens met to discuss and set the general guidelines for the Ku Klux Klan’s different dens across the United States, and the group also set specific rules for members. Also at the convention, the group drafted and approved a constitution so everyone would be aware of the group’s rules and regulations (Hooded Americanism, p. 9). It was at the National Convention meeting the Ku Klux Klan decided to appoint a Grand Wizard to head and control all of the dens of the Klan across the United States. General Nathan Bedford Forrest, formerly an officer in the Confederate army, was the group’s choice for the position and he gladly accepted. The Empire of the Grand Wizard was divided into realms, dominions, provinces, and dens, headed by Grand Dragons, Titans, Giants, and Cyclopes, and composed of Ghouls. Under the command of General Forrest the Ku Klux Klan became a greater choice in society than it had ever been (Hooded Americanism, p. 10). Since their new leader was in place, the final objective of the conventions was reached by creating an official symbol of the Ku Klux Klan. The symbol is a cross with a drop of blood (representing the blood of Jesus Christ) within a circle. This symbol was meant to represent the totality of the White race (Invisible Empire, p. 13). Admittedly, the Ku Klux Klan still had problems, but after their national convention many of its activities were more effective and organized. Almost every group that has ever come about has had its share of problems and the Ku Klux Klan was no exception. As with any controversial group, the public asked the government for assistance in disposing of this violent...
