Question

Until the civil war, the protection of civil rights had been left mostly to _____.

Answer 1

The protection of civil rights was left up to individual states. This was because before the civil war the federal government didn't see civil rights as an issue.

Answer 2

Until the civil war, the protection of civil rights had been left mostly to the States.

Before the Civil War, Federal Influence was smaller, and Civil Rights weren't a priority. For example, at that time, slavery was still legal, which is a clear violation of basic human and civil rights. States have always had lots of authority, and civil rights protections were left mostly to the States