Use the Land Order to answer the question. Describe how the Land Order relates to later Reconstruction policies toward free blacks in the South. Using the excerpt, answer (a) and (b). (a) In 2-3 sentences, explain why most African Americans remained bound to the land after the war. (b) In 2-3 sentences, describe how economic hopes inspired by the end of the war failed to materialize for many free blacks.

Answer 1

(a) Most African Americans remained bound to the land after the war because the Land Order only granted them 40 acres of land, which was not enough to sustain a living. Furthermore, the land was often of poor quality and was not suitable for farming.

(b) The economic hopes inspired by the end of the war failed to materialize for many free blacks because they were unable to access the resources and opportunities necessary to build a successful life. They were often denied access to credit, land ownership, and other economic opportunities, leaving them unable to build wealth and improve their economic standing.