Questions and Answers
What is Special Field Order No. 15?
Issued by General Sherman in January of 1865 in response to black requests that freed slaves be provided with a means of self-support.
What was set aside for use by freed slaves?
What did the order say it would give to each family?
A deed of use and 40 acres.
Freed people assumed they were not being given ownership of land as reparation for their stolen labor.
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What happened to most of the land after the order?
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Freed people were left with the means of economic independence.
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Study Notes
Special Field Order No. 15
- Issued by General William Tecumseh Sherman in January 1865.
- Created in response to requests from freed blacks for assistance in achieving self-sufficiency.
Land Allocation
- Designated a strip of abandoned land extending from Charleston, South Carolina, to Jacksonville, Florida.
- Intended for use by freed slaves to cultivate and create self-sustaining communities.
Land Grants
- Each family was promised a deed of use along with 40 acres of land.
- This commitment aimed to provide economic opportunities for formerly enslaved individuals.
Expectations of Freed People
- Freed individuals interpreted the order as a promise of land ownership as reparations for their involuntary labor.
- There was a strong belief that they would receive lasting benefits from the land allotments.
Land Ownership After the Order
- Most of the allocated land was returned to its original Confederate owners or sold to northern investors.
- This reversal limited the opportunities for economic independence for freed individuals.
Economic Impact on Freed People
- The failure to secure land left many freed persons without the necessary means for economic independence.
- Significant loss of opportunity to establish a stable livelihood after the Civil War.
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Description
Explore key terms and definitions related to Special Field Order No. 15, a significant policy from January 1865 initiated by General Sherman. This quiz focuses on the intended support for freed slaves and the allocation of land. Perfect for history buffs wanting to deepen their understanding of Civil War-era policies.
