Social Studies Praxis Practice Test

What did former slaves often turn to during Reconstruction if they could not afford land?

1. Factory work

2. Sharecropping

3. Railroad building

4. Clerical work

The correct answer is: Sharecropping

During the Reconstruction era, many former slaves faced significant obstacles in achieving financial independence and securing land for themselves. Sharecropping emerged as a prevalent solution for those who could not afford to purchase land. This agricultural system allowed former slaves and poor farmers to work the land owned by wealthy landowners in exchange for a share of the crop yield. Sharecropping enabled these individuals to have access to land and the means to generate income, albeit under a system that often perpetuated cycles of debt and economic dependence on the landowners. While factory work, railroad building, and clerical work were also possibilities, these options were less accessible to many former slaves at the time due to factors such as limited availability of industrial jobs in their regions, racial discrimination, and a lack of education that would grant them access to clerical positions. These barriers made sharecropping a more common and feasible alternative for many former slaves looking for a way to sustain themselves and their families during Reconstruction.