Why did Southern states use poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses as Reconstruction came to an end?
(1 point)
Responses
to maintain Republican control of state governments
to maintain Republican control of state governments
to keep poor white Southerners from voting
to keep poor white Southerners from voting
to keep African Americans from voting
to keep African Americans from voting
to ensure voters would remain loyal to the Union
The correct response is:
to keep African Americans from voting
The Southern states used poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses as Reconstruction came to an end for the following reasons:
1. To maintain Republican control of state governments.
2. To keep poor white Southerners from voting.
3. To keep African Americans from voting.
4. To ensure voters would remain loyal to the Union.
The correct answer is: to keep African Americans from voting.
During Reconstruction, which took place after the Civil War, Southern states implemented various tactics to suppress the voting rights of African Americans as the era was coming to an end. The three methods mentioned - poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses - were used for this purpose.
1. Poll Taxes: Southern states used poll taxes as a way to discourage African Americans from voting. These taxes imposed a fee on anyone wishing to vote, making it difficult for low-income individuals, including many African Americans, to afford the cost. By implementing poll taxes, Southern states aimed to prevent African Americans from exercising their right to vote.
2. Literacy Tests: Another method used to disenfranchise African Americans was the implementation of literacy tests. These tests required potential voters to prove their literacy and understanding of the Constitution or other complex documents. Since African Americans often lacked access to education, these tests effectively prevented them from voting.
3. Grandfather Clauses: The grandfather clauses were a clever tactic used to exempt white voters from the discriminatory policies put in place. These clauses stated that even if a person failed the literacy test or poll tax requirement, they could still vote if their father or grandfather had been eligible to vote before the Civil War. This allowed many white voters to bypass the restrictions deliberately aimed at limiting the voting rights of African Americans.
Overall, these tactics were designed to suppress African American voting rights and perpetuate racial discrimination and segregation in the South.