What was the stated reason given by whites for many lynchings?

Whites often justified lynchings by claiming they were necessary to protect white women from alleged assaults by Black men. They propagated the stereotype of the Black man as a dangerous predator, using this rationale to incite fear and maintain racial control. Additionally, lynchings were framed as a form of vigilante justice, asserting that the legal system was inadequate in dealing with crime. This narrative served to legitimize acts of racial terror and reinforce white supremacy in society.