Final answer:
Atticus' comment that the Klan is gone is not entirely accurate, as the Ku Klux Klan experienced multiple periods of activity and decline, with reductions in power and influence post-1920s, but not a total cessation. Instead, the KKK saw resurgences later, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, indicating its persistence despite setbacks.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Atticus refers to the Ku Klux Klan, it is important to understand the context of which iteration of the Klan he is discussing and the time period. The Klan saw various phases of activity and decline through history. Although the Klan did decline significantly after the peak in 1925 due to denouncements from various facets of society, investigations into embezzlement, and loss of enthusiasm, it experienced a resurgence in the 1950s and another in the civil rights era of the 1960s.
The Klan's demise in the 1920s was due in part to anti-masking legislation, crackdowns by law enforcement, public scandals and the Great Depression. Yet, this did not mean a complete end to the KKK's existence. It evolved and reappeared in various forms, maintaining a presence into the 1950s and beyond, albeit with reduced influence and membership numbers. Therefore, while the Klan as a powerful organization was significantly weakened and faced irrelevance after the 1920s, the statement that the Klan is completely 'gone' is incorrect given its later periods of activity.
The Second Klan, which emerged in 1915, also presented itself as a nativist organization, went beyond targeting African Americans, and included anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic, and anti-Jewish sentiments. Their terrorizing of newly freed Black people effectively prevented them from exercising their citizenship and rights. Acts of violence and intimidation continued to be a hallmark of the Klan's tactics throughout its history, despite claims of non-violence.