Forces of Prejudice in Oregon 1920-1925
Graduation Date
Spring 1950
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Degree Granting Institution
Catholic University of America
Program Name
Humanities
Abstract
Historical events in Oregon during the nineteen twenties were unique in national politics and unusually significant in the history of the Catholic Church in the United States. The social, political, and religious life of the people of Oregon during this period was dominated thoroughly by the forces of prejudice and bigotry, activated by the presence of the Ku Klux Klan in particular. This unusual phenomenon imprinted an indelible mark on tie people of the state and loft its traces on national legislation and constitutional history.
This part of the history of Oregon so ruled by the forces of prejudice seems to have been neglected almost completely in any historical work or publication. The omission may have been thus far intentional, lest by recording the events of such a turbulent period the scribe call forth, renew, and stimulate the ever present forces. It may well be that most people would rather allow the bitterness to be forgotten and permit time to heal completely the wounds suffered in the struggle, however, since stories of prejudice handed down by word of mouth alone tend to grow beyond proof or denial, it is necessary in the interest of truth to provide a written account.