The statement that best captures the relationship between the South’s economic and social problems after the Civil War and its political challenges is: "With many newly freed men and new politicians, it was unclear how the South would run state governments."
This response highlights the significant social upheaval that accompanied the end of slavery and the reconstruction efforts, which resulted in a complicated political landscape as new political dynamics emerged. The integration of formerly enslaved individuals into the political system created uncertainty and conflict over governance, contributing to the South's political problems during this tumultuous period.