Answer :
The purpose of the poll taxes in Southern states was to discourage African Americans from voting. The correct option in respect to all the options given in the question is option "C".
In the United States of America the
poll tax was a prerequisite for people to vote and this was implemented in
several states. This was a discriminating measure that actually wanted to
prevent the African Americans from voting. This tax emerged during the 19th
century in several states of America.
Correct answer:
C. discourage African Americans from voting.
Poll taxes means you have to pay a tax before allowed to vote. That's a way of preventing poor persons (like blacks in the South) from voting.
In addition to poll taxes, other measures were also used to block blacks from participating in the voting process. For instance, literacy tests would require persons to pass certain standards of reading and writing in order to qualify for voting. These tests were aimed at blacks, who had not had access to the same education as whites.