Final answer:
The Purist Klan, or the Ku Klux Klan of the 1920s, was characterized by its white supremacist ideology, its image as a fraternal organization, and its violent and intolerant actions directed towards minorities and those who did not fit their '100 percent American' standard.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the main characteristics of the Purist Klan, referring to the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) that reemerged in the 1920s, was its stance on white supremacy. This iteration of the Klan was marked by its anti-Black, anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic, and anti-Jewish philosophy. It promoted Protestant beliefs and Americanism, expressing intolerance and promoting traditional family values as part of its identity, which provided a sense of community and belonging among its members. The Klan's rhetoric and actions included public denunciations, cross-burning, violence, and intimidation against those they deemed inferior or threatening to their vision of America.
The Klan was also a fraternal organization complete with a women's auxiliary, attracting middle-class white Americans and providing social gatherings, rituals, and honorary titles, fostered by a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. Despite their public commitment to nonviolent tactics, Klan beliefs often led to acts of violence against minority communities.
Ultimately, the Klan's appeal came from speaking to the fears and prejudices of native-born whites during a time of rapid social change, by advocating for the preservation of a mythical past where old-time religion and traditional values prevailed. However, the organization began to decline when their negativity and the exposure of financial improprieties amongst its leadership alienated many of its members, leading to a loss of support.