Please help.
Literacy tests worked to dany the right to vote to African Americans primarily because
a.. all white voters had higher literacy rates.
b. the tests were only required in Southern States.
c, African Americans were asked questions that were more difficult than those asked of prospective white voters.
I can't decide between b or c. Please help if you can.
I answered my own question. It is c. I just found the answer in my book.
That's great that you found the answer in your book! It's always important to do your own research and find reliable sources of information. However, I can still provide you with some additional context and explanation on this topic.
During the period of racial segregation in the United States, literacy tests were often used as a means to deny African Americans the right to vote. To understand why literacy tests worked primarily to deny the right to vote to African Americans, we need to examine both options (b) and (c) more closely.
Option (b) states that the tests were only required in Southern States. This is partially true. While literacy tests were indeed implemented in Southern States, they were also present in some Northern and Western States. However, it is important to note that these tests were disproportionately applied in the South, where African Americans faced more overt racial discrimination.
Option (c) states that African Americans were asked questions that were more difficult than those asked of prospective white voters. This is, in fact, the main reason why literacy tests were effective in disenfranchising African Americans. The tests were intentionally designed to be incredibly difficult, often requiring potential voters to pass detailed knowledge-based exams. African Americans were subjected to more complex questions and stricter standards compared to white voters, creating a discriminatory barrier.
So, in summary, option (c) is the correct answer. African Americans were subjected to more difficult and discriminatory questions, designed to deny them the right to vote.