Question

select the correct answer.
why were white southerners so eager to deny african americans their rights?

a. they wanted the republican party to control their state governments.

b. they wanted to maintain their place within a racial hierarchy.

c. they wanted african americans to move to northern cities.

d. they wanted african americans to found their own new states.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• Option A: White Southerners during this period (post - Civil War, Reconstruction era) were generally opposed to the Republican Party's influence in their state governments, as the Republicans were more supportive of African - American rights. So this option is incorrect.
• Option B: The Southern society had a long - standing racial hierarchy where white people were at the top. Denying African Americans their rights was a way to maintain this social order, including economic (like keeping African Americans as a source of cheap labor) and social dominance. This option is consistent with the historical context.
• Option C: There was no widespread desire among white Southerners to have African Americans move to Northern cities. In fact, many white Southerners relied on African - American labor in the South. So this option is incorrect.
• Option D: White Southerners had no interest in African Americans founding their own states. They wanted to keep African Americans subordinate within the existing Southern states. So this option is incorrect.

Answer:

B. They wanted to maintain their place within a racial hierarchy.