Patrolling in the South originated from which term?

• A. Vigilantism
• B. Mob mentality
• C. Slave Patrols
• D. Civil War Patrols

Answer: (C)

Patrolling in the South originated from organized slave patrols, groups of white men whose job was to police enslaved people, enforce slave codes, and prevent revolts or escapes. These patrols operated across rural and urban areas, stopping enslaved individuals, tracking runaways, and using force to maintain control. Their structure and methods laid the groundwork for later formal policing in southern states, shaping how patrol and enforcement functions evolved after slavery ended. That historical connection makes slave patrols the best answer. The other options describe broad social phenomena or nonstandard terms that don’t reflect the specific origin of organized patrolling tied to enforcing slavery.