What was the main purpose of the Freedom Summer of 1964?

• A. To integrate public schools
• B. To increase voter registration among African Americans in Mississippi
• C. To promote economic development
• D. To protest against the Vietnam War

Answer: (B)

The Freedom Summer of 1964 was primarily focused on increasing voter registration among African Americans in Mississippi. This initiative was part of a larger civil rights movement aimed at combating systemic racial discrimination and disenfranchisement faced by Black citizens, particularly in the South. Mississippi had one of the lowest voter registration rates for African Americans due to various barriers, including literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation.

The Freedom Summer involved thousands of volunteers, many of them college students from across the country, who traveled to Mississippi to assist with voter registration drives. They organized workshops, provided support to local activists, and aimed to educate and empower the Black community to claim their voting rights. This movement not only sought to increase the number of registered Black voters but also highlighted the injustices and violence that African Americans faced, particularly in the South, drawing national attention to the civil rights struggle.

The other options, while relevant to the broader context of civil rights issues, do not specifically encapsulate the primary goal of the Freedom Summer. For instance, integrating public schools and promoting economic development were ongoing efforts but were not the main focus of this particular event. Likewise, protesting against the Vietnam War, while a significant movement of the 1960s, was not directly related to the aims