Final answer:
Lynching is the act of killing a person without trial, often motivated by racial prejudice, particularly in the southern states of the United States. Victims were often individuals who defied racial codes or sought civil rights. Lynchings involved violence and could include torture and mutilation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lynching is the act of killing a person without trial, usually as retaliation for an alleged crime or infraction. It was prevalent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the southern states of the United States. Lynchings were often racially motivated, targeting African Americans who were perceived as a threat to white supremacy. Victims of lynching were often individuals who defied racial codes or sought to exercise their rights. Lynchings could involve torture, mutilation, and other forms of violence.