Why did the largest landholdings in seventeenth-century New England towns usually belong to wealthier families?
A) Religious discrimination by Protestants prevented Quakers and Catholics from holding land.
B) Men of higher social status tended to receive the largest land grants from their towns.
C) Governors of the colony consistently favored their supporters when making land grants.
D) The colonial governments copied English feudal practices,which perpetuated social inequalities.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In seventeenth-century New England towns, land was allocated by the town council, usually to male inhabitants. Those of higher social standing, such as wealthy families, tended to receive larger land grants, reflecting the prevailing social hierarchy. This practice was not rooted in any religious or political discrimination, nor was it a copy of English feudal practices.

Why Did the Largest Landholdings in Seventeenth-Century New England Towns