Why did white Southern Democrats disenfranchise Black men?(4 points)

Question

1 They wanted to encourage literacy among formerly enslaved African Americans.

2 They worried that African Americans would Republican governments.

3 They hoped African Americans would leave the South after being denied rights.

4 They feared the consequences of African Americans having political power.

Answer 1

White Southern Democrats disenfranchised Black men primarily for the following reasons:

1. They worried that African Americans would support Republican governments. - After the Civil War, many African Americans aligned with the Republican Party, which was associated with the abolition of slavery and civil rights. By disenfranchising Black men, Southern Democrats aimed to weaken Republican influence in the region.

2. They feared the consequences of African Americans having political power. - Southern Democrats believed that granting political power to Black men could threaten the social order and racial hierarchy established after slavery. They were concerned that political representation could lead to significant changes in governance that would not align with their interests.

While the other points suggest some broader intentions, they do not accurately reflect the primary motivations behind disenfranchisement:

• Encouraging literacy was not a genuine motive; literacy tests were often used discriminatorily to disenfranchise Black voters rather than promote education.
• Hoping African Americans would leave the South was more of a consequence of disenfranchisement and systemic oppression rather than a primary motivation for it.

Thus, the most pertinent reasons for disenfranchisement are concerns over political power and influence.