The controversy of the film revolves around its premise of a post-Civil War America where the Ku Klux Klan successfully redeems the South from carpetbaggers and evil mulattos. Even at the time of the film's release, riots protested the film. However, the success of the film made Griffith a wealthy man. Griffith was surprised by the harsh criticism and his next major project, Intolerance? tried to address the issues raised.