Question

1. choose the best answer.

what government action in the 1880s encouraged businesses to embrace segregation policies to openly deny service to black people?
the federal government announced that it would not enforce existing discrimination laws.
state governments raised taxes on businesses that served black customers.
by overturning the civil rights act of 1875, the supreme court declared that congress did not have the authority to protect blacks against discrimination.
congress passed an amendment to the u.s. constitution.

Explanation:

In 1883, the Supreme Court overturned the Civil Rights Act of 1875. It declared that Congress lacked the authority to protect Blacks against discrimination in public accommodations. This decision removed a legal barrier, encouraging businesses to adopt segregation policies and deny service to Black people. The other options are incorrect. The federal government not enforcing discrimination laws is too vague compared to the specific Supreme Court action. State governments raising taxes on businesses serving Black customers is not a known major action in the 1880s related to this. Congress passing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution (there was no relevant amendment in the 1880s for this context) is also wrong.

Answer:

By overturning the Civil Rights Act of 1875, the Supreme Court declared that Congress did not have the authority to protect Blacks against discrimination.