Question 1

Despite significant social and economic changes in Boston between the Civil War and 1900, employment opportunities for Black workers remained largely stagnant. Which of the following best explains this paradox of change and continuity in the labor market for Black Bostonians?

Answer

Black workers did not have the specialized skills necessary to adapt to the changing economy.

While the economy evolved, racial discrimination and political neglect prevented Black workers from accessing new employment sectors.

The expanding economy created new opportunities that Black workers chose not to pursue, preferring more entrepreneurial roles.

The influx of Irish immigrants created such intense competition that it prevented all workers, regardless of race, from advancing into new job categories.