Question

Look at the political cartoon.

An officer in a Federal uniform puts himself between a group of African Americans and a group of southern whites. Both groups look angry and carry weapons. The officer is holding one hand up to hold off the southern whites. The U S flag is in the background behind the officer.

The cartoon shows an officer from the federal government

protecting Southern whites.
protecting freed African Americans.
unable to protect Southern whites.
unable to protect freed African Americans.

Answer 1

protecting freed African Americans.

The federal officer stands between angry southern whites and armed African Americans, holding the whites back — symbolizing federal protection of freed people (Reconstruction-era).