What was the purpose of the Force Acts of 1870?

The Force Acts of 1870 were primarily intended to combat the violence and intimidation tactics employed by the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups in the post-Civil War South. These acts allowed the federal government to intervene more significantly in state affairs, particularly in enforcing civil rights and protecting the rights of African Americans, particularly their right to vote. By allowing federal troops to be sent into areas where law enforcement was unable or unwilling to act against the Klan's terrorism, the Acts aimed to uphold the 15th Amendment, which granted African American men the right to vote.

While the other options mention significant issues of the time, they do not align with the specific legislative intent of the Force Acts. The primary focus was on enforcing civil rights and ensuring that African Americans could participate in the political process without fear of violence or oppression. This context underscores why the enforcement against the KKK was a central purpose of this legislation.