In the late 19th century lynching became popular in the south as tensions and especially racial tensions saw a rise because of the newly freed slaves. People started blaming financial problems on freed slaves that lived there and lynching became a way for them to get rid of the anger. Not only black people were lynched but more than 70% of lynches happened to black people. Generally, if you were a troublemaker and you made enough people angry you would probably be lynched. Even if you are innocent.
