A Level History - America - Practice Exam

What was a prominent factor contributing to the slow movement of African Americans towards land ownership?

1. High taxation rates

2. Lack of financial resources

3. Strong opposition from white landowners

4. Racial segregation in the North

The correct answer is: Lack of financial resources

The movement of African Americans towards land ownership was significantly hindered by a lack of financial resources. After the Civil War and during the Reconstruction era, many African Americans sought to acquire land as a means to secure independence and economic stability. However, systemic barriers such as discriminatory lending practices, limited access to education, and the legacy of poverty made it difficult for them to gather the necessary capital for purchasing land. While other factors, like strong opposition from white landowners and racial segregation, impacted various aspects of African American life, the crucial barrier preventing widespread land ownership was primarily tied to financial constraints. Without the means to purchase or maintain property, many African Americans remained renters or sharecroppers, limiting their economic mobility and perpetuating cycles of poverty.