Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean History Practice Exam 2026 – Complete All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

Freed negroes were able to obtain land primarily as a result of the granting of estate land by former slave owners. This practice came about after emancipation when many ex-masters found themselves in need of laborers who could manage and work the land effectively. Releasing parcels of their land to freed individuals was viewed as a practical means of securing a labor force, while also providing the freedmen with a stake in agriculture.

This method of land acquisition was significant as it allowed the formerly enslaved to become landholders, promoting a sense of independence and economic stability. This arrangement often involved informal agreements or arrangements based on previous relationships between masters and slaves.

The other options, while they may reflect some realities about land acquisition after emancipation, are not as directly relevant to the main avenue through which many freed negroes secured land. For instance, the purchase of land with savings was often limited, as many freed individuals had little to no capital. Government land distributions were sporadic and not universally applied; thus, many freed negroes did not directly receive land this way. Participating in land grants and lotteries was also less common and did not provide the widespread opportunity that the granting of estate land did.