Who were the boat people? A. A block of American voters who engaged in fishing for a living B. Refugees from Africa seeking to escape political persecution C. Refugees from Southeast Asia seeking to escape political persecution D. A block of American voters who engaged in activities related to water sports

C. Refugees from Southeast Asia seeking to escape political persecution

The term "boat people" refers to the mass exodus of refugees who fled Southeast Asia by boat and ship after the Vietnam War, particularly from Vietnam, but also from Laos and Cambodia. This mass migration took place in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The refugees were fleeing the new communist regimes that had taken over their countries following the war, along with the associated political persecution, human rights abuses, and harsh living conditions.

Many of these refugees took to the sea in overcrowded and often unseaworthy boats, risking their lives in hopes of finding safety and a new life. They often aimed for nearby countries in Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, but their final destination was typically further afield in countries willing to accept them for resettlement, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and France.

The crisis prompted an international humanitarian response, and the term "boat people" became synonymous with refugees seeking asylum under dire circumstances. Many countries in the world came together to help resettle the refugees, and their plight highlighted the issues of refugee rights and international responsibility for individuals fleeing persecution.