A Level History - America - Practice Exam

What did the term 'Exodusters' refer to?

1. A group of wealthy landowners in the West

2. Former slaves who migrated to the West

3. A political movement for land reforms

4. A group advocating for Native American rights

The correct answer is: Former slaves who migrated to the West

The term 'Exodusters' specifically refers to former slaves who migrated to the West, particularly to Kansas, after the Civil War. This group sought to escape the oppressive conditions they faced in the South due to racial discrimination and economic hardship. The Exoduster movement, which gained momentum in the late 19th century, was largely inspired by the promise of land, opportunity, and the hope for a better life away from the violence and disenfranchisement of the Reconstruction-era South. Many Exodusters were motivated by the desire for self-determination and the possibility of establishing their own communities. The term itself was a play on the biblical Exodus, reflecting their journey towards freedom and a new life, similar to the way the Israelites sought liberation from bondage in Egypt. The other choices do not accurately represent the historical context of the Exodusters, as they relate to different groups or movements that do not pertain to the migration of former slaves to the West.