What system allowed people to receive free land in the Virginia colony?

The Headright System was a land distribution method established in the Virginia colony to encourage settlement and the cultivation of land. Under this system, new settlers who paid for their passage to Virginia could receive a grant of land, usually measuring about 50 acres. This system was particularly beneficial for wealthy planters who could bring large numbers of indentured servants or laborers to the colony, as they received additional land for each person they sponsored. This not only promoted population growth but also facilitated the expansion of agriculture, making it a crucial element in the development of the Virginia colony's economy and social structure.

The other options refer to different land distribution policies. The Land Grant Program is more commonly associated with later periods and different contexts, such as the establishment of universities or specific projects, while the Homestead Act was enacted in 1862 to promote the settlement of the American West. The Virginia Land Scheme, though sounding similar, is not a recognized historical term compared to the well-documented Headright System.