Question

What was the key component of General Sherman's order that was revolutionary for its time?

1) Offering land ownership to former slaves
2) Providing protection for freed families until they could safeguard themselves
3) Excluding white residents from governing the self-governing communities
4) Designating specific areas for the settlement of newly freed slaves

Answer 1

The revolutionary aspect of General Sherman's order was the allocation of forty-acre plots of land to former slaves, fostering hopes of land ownership and independence.

Step-by-step explanation:

The key component of General Sherman's order that was revolutionary for its time was offering land ownership to former slaves. This provision came under Special Field Order No. 15, where General Sherman established zones specifically for the settlement of newly freed slaves.

The order allocated forty-acre plots of land to black families on confiscated lands in the South, which allowed them to establish independent homesteads and communities.

Although this order represented a significant step towards the redistribution of land and provided a sense of hope, it was short-lived. Following Lincoln's assassination, President Andrew Johnson revoked Sherman's order and restored the land to its former Confederate owners, disillusioning many freedmen who had expected lasting reform.