Question

5.5.2 test (cst): post civil war america
question 9 of 20
why did southern state governments create poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses?
a. to help african americans get a good education and jobs
b. to increase the number of white votes
c. to limit african americans right to vote
d. to improve relations with african americans

Explanation:

After the Civil War, African - Americans gained the right to vote (15th Amendment). Southern states used poll taxes (a fee to vote that many African - Americans couldn't afford), literacy tests (many African - Americans were illiterate due to lack of educational opportunities), and grandfather clauses (allowed those whose ancestors could vote before a certain date to vote, which excluded newly enfranchised African - Americans) as discriminatory measures. These were not about helping African - Americans (A and D are wrong) or increasing white votes (B is wrong in that it's not the main discriminatory intent). The main goal was to limit African - American voting rights.

Answer:

C. To limit African Americans' right to vote