Question

1. choose the best answer.

what was the overall purpose of the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments?
they limited the power of the bill of rights.
they clearly defined the relationship between the federal government and state governments.
they cleared up ambiguous language in the constitution that had been abused to oppress blacks.
they made it easier for republicans to remain in power.

1. choose the best answer.

why was the memphis riot in 1866 especially dangerous for black citizens?
the riot lasted for a month.
memphis geography made escape nearly impossible.
six vigilante groups had headquarters in the city.
police officers and firefighters openly participated in violence against black citizens.

Explanation:

• For the first question: The Fourteenth Amendment granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to Black people, and the Fifteenth Amendment prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on race. They addressed issues where ambiguous language in the Constitution (like who was a citizen) was used to oppress Blacks. The Bill of Rights was not limited. The relationship between federal and state governments was not the main focus. And it was not about Republican power - it was about Black rights.
• For the second question: In the Memphis Riot of 1866, police officers and firefighters (who were supposed to protect citizens) openly participated in violence against Black citizens. The riot lasted a few days (not a month). Memphis' geography was not the key dangerous factor. And there were not six vigilante groups with headquarters as the main dangerous aspect compared to the betrayal of those in authority.

Answer:

1. They cleared up ambiguous language in the Constitution that had been abused to oppress Blacks.
2. Police officers and firefighters openly participated in violence against Black citizens.