Question 1

How did railroad companies’ economic concerns shape their resistance to separate car laws, and how did these concerns impact the quality of accommodations for Black passengers?

Answer

Railroad companies resisted separate car laws because they wanted to avoid the cost of providing equal facilities, leading them to offer inferior and unsafe accommodations for Black passengers. 

Railroad companies resisted separate car laws because they believed Black passengers preferred cheaper and less comfortable accommodations.

Railroad companies’ resistance was based on logistical concerns, not economic ones, so the quality of Black accommodations was unaffected.

Railroad companies initially resisted but eventually provided Black passengers with comparable accommodations to those of White passengers to avoid legal trouble.