Final answer:
The Joint Select Committee was established to investigate the Ku Klux Klan's tactics during the Reconstruction era, ultimately producing a report on the violence used to undermine democracy in the South.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Joint Select Committee, established by Congress in 1871 under President Grant's administration, was prompted by the violent actions of the Ku Klux Klan during the Reconstruction Era. The purpose of this committee of inquiry was to investigate the disruptive tactics employed by the Klan that aimed to undermine democracy in the South. The committee focused on taking testimony from the freed people in the South, which culminated in an extensive thirteen-volume report published in 1872. This report outlined the extent to which the Klan's violence was attempting to derail the Reconstruction efforts and suppress the rights of newly liberated African Americans.
The issues investigated by the committee reflected a broader pattern of racism and xenophobia in the United States, as demonstrated by various historical examples of discriminatory practices. This includes the U.S. response to Jewish refugees during World War II, the internment of Japanese Americans, and the social challenges faced by Chinese migrants and other minority groups on the West Coast. These instances illustrate how racial prejudice significantly affected the lives of immigrants and citizens alike within the U.S.
Furthermore, during times of national unrest, like World War I and the Cold War, xenophobic hysteria often prevailed. As seen with the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and the Internal Security Act of 1950, suspicion, and antagonism towards those perceived as 'other' or threatening were rampant. The legislative actions taken greatly influenced the treatment of immigrants and citizens, emphasizing the continuing struggle against racism and xenophobia within American society.