White southerners in the 1830s began portraying free blacks as savages because they were trying to ________.
A) justify harsher treatment of free blacks
B) drum up support for a race war
C) raise funds for militias to defend against slave uprisings
D) put social pressure on free blacks to leave the South
E) put social pressure on all blacks, both slave and free, to leave the South

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

By portraying free blacks as savages, white southerners were able to justify harsher treatment of free blacks, including limiting their rights and freedoms, and subjecting them to violence and discrimination. This further reinforced the racist beliefs and attitudes that existed during this time period.

White Southerners in the 1830s Began Portraying Free Blacks as Savages