Question

Benjamin 'Pap' Singleton started an African American settlement in Kansas. It was one of several African American settlements to be formed in the west during the late 1800s. Which factor led many African Americans to migrate to these western settlements?

A a decrease in fees charged to western farmers by railroad companies
B an increase in racial oppression that occurred at the end of the Reconstruction era in the south
C an increase in the cost of living caused by the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad
D a decrease in educational opportunities offered in northern states"

Answer 1

The main factor driving African Americans to western settlements like Singleton's in Kansas was the increase in racial oppression after the end of Reconstruction, leading them to seek economic and social freedom.

Step-by-step explanation:

One key factor that led many African Americans to migrate to western settlements such as the one Benjamin 'Pap' Singleton started in Kansas during the late 1800s was an increase in racial oppression that occurred at the end of the Reconstruction era in the South.

At the time, many African American families were seeking freedom from Southern racial violence as well as economic prosperity which they could not find in the South due to insufficient employment opportunities, increased production costs, and landownership challenges.

The westward movement, notably to states like Kansas, offered the promise of a new beginning where cheaper land was available, and some political support for civil rights was provided by Republican legislatures, making this region especially attractive for those hoping to own land and improve their living conditions.