Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) Practice Exam

What was the term for the initiative that moved orphaned children from New York City to rural areas from the late 1800s to the 1920s?

1. Orphan Train

2. Child Relocation Program

3. Orphanage Project

4. Caretaking Initiative

The correct answer is: Orphan Train

The initiative that moved orphaned children from New York City to rural areas from the late 1800s to the 1920s is known as the Orphan Train. This movement was aimed at providing a better life for orphaned and abandoned children by placing them in homes with families who could care for them, particularly in the Midwest. The program is historically significant as it represented one of the earliest forms of foster care in the United States, allowing children to escape the harsh conditions of urban life and gain opportunities for a more stable and supportive upbringing in rural settings. This initiative helped thousands of children during a period when child welfare was not yet a structured system.