Lesson 7 of 84 · Westward Expansion
⭐ 30 XPThe Homestead Act
The Homestead Act, signed into law in 1862, encouraged westward expansion by providing land to settlers.
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The Homestead Act, signed into law in 1862, encouraged westward expansion by providing land to settlers. This act allowed individuals to claim 160 acres of public land for a small fee, provided they improved the land by building a dwelling and cultivating crops. The Homestead Act played a significant role in populating the Great Plains and other western territories, allowing many families to start anew and contribute to the growth of the United States.
Key Facts
The Homestead Act offered 160 acres of land to settlers.
To claim the land, settlers had to live on it for five years.
The act aimed to promote westward expansion and agriculture.
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1 of 2What was the purpose of the Homestead Act?
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