California Teacher Credentialing Examination (CSET) Practice Test 2025 - Free CSET Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Rancho System in California is characterized by a land allotment system defined by a few large landowners and many landless workers. This system emerged during the Spanish and Mexican periods in California, where vast tracts of land were granted to individuals, often wealthy ranchers, known as "rancho" owners. These rancho owners had significant control over the land and resources, leading to a hierarchical structure where a small number of landowners possessed large estates, while a larger population of workers, including native inhabitants and laborers, often lacked land ownership and remained economically dependent on these landowners.

In this context, the other options do not accurately reflect the realities of the Rancho System. The notion of communal and equally shared land ownership does not apply, as land was largely held privately by wealthy individuals. Similarly, a democratic ownership model contradicts the hierarchies present in the Rancho System, which favored a few landowners. Lastly, while elements of land conservation may have emerged later, the core characteristics of the Rancho System were focused on large landholdings and labor exploitation rather than on preservation or conservation efforts.