Final answer:
All options provided: scourge, knout, lash, and cat-o'-nine-tails are synonymous with the word 'whip', and they represent various forms of punishment instruments. Historical context, such as the photograph of an enslaved person's scarred back, depicts the cruelty of such instruments during the era of slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word "whip" matches with all of the options given: scourge (a), knout (b), lash (c), and cat-o'-nine-tails (d). All these terms refer to instruments often used for punishment or torture. The phrase used in the context of slavery often refers to a whip, which was a common instrument of punishment and a symbol of the oppressive control exerted over enslaved people.
The historical photograph and description in FIGURE 12.6 illustrate the severe consequences of whipping, as experienced by an enslaved individual named Peter, whose back bore the scars of such brutality. The images highlight the physical reality of slavery and served to advance the abolitionist cause by showcasing the cruelty of such punishment methods.