against the Ku Klux Klan. Together, these were known as the _______ Acts.
A. Grant
B. Force
C. Klan
D. Reconciliation
The correct answer is B. Force.
To determine the answer, you need to know the historical context surrounding the Ku Klux Klan and the laws enacted against them. The Ku Klux Klan, or KKK, was a white supremacist organization that gained prominence in the Reconstruction Era following the American Civil War. They targeted and terrorized African Americans and their white allies who supported racial equality.
In response to the violent actions of the Klan, the United States Congress passed a series of acts aimed at combating their activities. Chief among these were the Enforcement Acts of 1870 and 1871, which are commonly referred to as the Force Acts. These acts were designed to protect the civil rights of newly freed African Americans and targeted organizations like the KKK.
The Force Acts gave federal authorities broader power to enforce equal protection under the law, suppress Klan violence, and protect voting rights. They provided legal tools to prosecute and punish individuals involved in Klan-related activities, such as vigilante violence, voter intimidation, and interference with civil rights.
Therefore, the answer is B. Force Acts.