What was one example of the Southern states' attempts to restrict the rights and opportunities of freedmen shortly after the Civil War?
A. Orders from the governor prohibited persons of color from owning property.
B. Local laws prohibited persons of color from learning how to read and write.
C. Town ordinances prohibited persons of color from living within the city limits.
D. State constitutions prohibited persons of color from using public transportation.
The correct answer is B. Local laws prohibited persons of color from learning how to read and write. This answer can be found by studying the history of the Reconstruction Era after the Civil War and the Jim Crow laws that were implemented in the Southern states.
To find this answer on your own, you can start by researching key events and laws following the Civil War that were aimed at restricting the rights of freedmen. Specifically, you can look into the Black Codes, which were laws enacted in many Southern states to limit the rights and freedoms of African Americans. These codes included various restrictions on African Americans, such as limitations on their ability to own property, work in certain occupations, and participate in political activities.
Another important aspect to research is the establishment of the Jim Crow laws, which were a system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced primarily in the Southern states from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. These laws impacted various aspects of African Americans' lives, including education.
By studying these historical events and laws, you will find that local laws during the Reconstruction Era often prohibited persons of color, particularly freedmen, from learning how to read and write. This was seen as a way to maintain control over the population and deny them access to education, which was considered a tool for empowerment and upward mobility.