Final answer:
The Reconstruction era initially brought some economic improvements to African Americans, such as voting rights and public infrastructure investments, but these gains were later undermined by segregation and systemic discrimination, which perpetuated poverty and inequality. The correct option is c.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reconstruction had a complex impact on African Americans' economic status. While it brought some improvements, such as the establishment of schools and access to public services, Reconstruction was also marked by significant challenges.
The economic opportunities for African Americans initially improved, with policies like those requiring Southern states to eliminate racial discrimination in voting and the election of African Americans across the South.
However, this progress was undermined by discriminatory policies such as sharecropping, segregation, and the convict-lease system which perpetuated a cycle of poverty and inequality.
Answer choice (c) 'It initially brought some improvements but was later undermined by discriminatory policies' is the most accurate response given the legacy of the Reconstruction era.
Though African Americans experienced moments of democratic participation and legal freedom, they continued to face systemic racial barriers that hindered their full economic emancipation, with the effects of slavery enduring well into the twentieth century. The correct option is c.