Question

question 5 of 20
why were whites in mississippi afraid of african american voting rights?

a. there were more african americans than whites in population and
in state government.

b. there were fewer african americans than whites in population and
in state government.

c. the u.s. army didnt leave mississippi after 1877.

d. most african americans would support democratic candidates.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: In Mississippi, the African American population was larger than the white population. If African Americans gained voting rights, they could potentially gain more political power (e.g., in state government), which would threaten the existing white - dominated power structure. This explains why whites were afraid.
• Option B: If African Americans were fewer in population and government, white power would not be threatened by African American voting rights, so this is incorrect.
• Option C: The U.S. Army's presence after 1877 is not related to the fear of African American voting rights in terms of the power dynamics between whites and African Americans in Mississippi, so this is incorrect.
• Option D: Most African Americans at that time supported Republican candidates (who were associated with Reconstruction and rights for African Americans), not Democratic candidates. So this is incorrect.

Answer:

A. There were more African Americans than whites in population and in state government.