The homestead act may 20, 1862 an act to secure homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain. The act provided settlers with 160 acres of surveyed public land after payment of a filing fee and five years of continuous residence. Homestead act of 1862, legislative action that promoted the settlement and development of the american west. Secession of the southern states in 1861 removed the main opposition, and a republican congress easily passed the homestead act in 1862. Signed into law by president abraham lincoln on may 20, 1862, the homestead act encouraged western migration by providing settlers 160 acres of public. On 20th may, 1862, abraham lincoln signed the homestead act into law. The homestead act was a united states federal law that gave an applicant freehold title to 160 acres one quarter section or about 65 hectares of undeveloped land outside of the original colonies. Passed on may 20, 1862, the homestead act accelerated the settlement of the western territory by granting adult heads of families 160 acres of surveyed public land for a minimal filing fee and 5 years of continuous residence on that land. According the indians, the land they were given to. The homestead act and the exodusters article khan academy.
On january 1, 1863, daniel freeman made the first claim under the act, which gave citizens or future citizens up to 160 acres of public land provided they live on it, improve it, and pay a small registration fee. When the homestead act became law in 1862, the area that later comprised. A recent article in the new historian provides a useful overview, which this book fleshes out with original materials. The homestead act led to the distribution of 80 million acres of public land by 1900. The new law established a threefold homestead acquisition process. Effects of the homestead act of 1862 because of the homestead act of 1862, homesteaders braved myriad obstacles to settle the rural areas of the united states, and their descendants appreciate the effort. They paid a small filing fee and then had two options for getting title to the land. The senate passed the homestead act by a vote of 33 to 7 on may 6, 1862. Map of united states and its acquisition of territory. Make sure you are familiar with the homestead act of 1862 using this interactive quiz. The homestead act, enacted during the civil war in 1862, provided that any adult citizen, or intended citizen, who had never borne arms against the u. The 1862 homestead act accelerated settlement of u. President abraham lincoln signed the homestead act into law in 1862.
President abraham lincoln signed the act into law on may 20, 1862. The living conditions out in the west were harsh, however, which caused difficulties for homesteaders. The homestead act 1862 garnered widespread interest in settling the u. The homestead act of 1862 was the first of many acts. Youll get full access to our interactive quizzes and transcripts and can find out how to use our videos to earn real college credit. The homestead act may 20, 1862 gilder lehrman institute. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the united states of america in congress assembled, that any person who is the head of a family, or who has arrived at the age of twentyone. I wanted to understand why the homestead act was initiated and what made it so successful so i spoke to blake bell who is the historian at homestead national monument, as well as, researching many books in our library here at scc. A homestead and family west of callaway, nebraska, between 1886 and 1912. The homestead act of 1862 was a landmark in the evolution of federal agriculture law. Shane is a western novel by jack schaefer published in 1949. All us citizens, including women, african americans, freed slaves, and immigrants.
The homestead act of 1862 landed at number three, beaten only by the louisiana purchase and the kansasnebraska act. I will explain to you how the homestead act came to be and how the combination of three factors made it successful. It was also notable for the opportunity it gave african americans to own land. Boomers, edward curtis, frontier thesisfrederick jackson turner, homesteaders, pull of factors westward including homestead act 1862, morrill land grant act 1862, pacific railway act 1862,1864, push factors of westward expansion, sooners, transcontinental railroad. The homestead act of 1862 parceled out millions of acres of land to settlers. Indian displacement and removal had been occurring for decades before the homestead act, but this law represented yet another in a long line of acts that served to remove natives from their ancestral homes and force them onto reservations. The story is set in 1889 wyoming, when the wyoming territory was still open to the homestead act of 1862. Much of the eastern midwest was purchased during the land boom of the 1830s, and most of iowa and wisconsin during the land boom of the 1850s, when the minimal purchase unit was only 40 acres.
In doing so, freeman became one of the first to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the homestead act, a law signed by president abraham lincoln on may 20, 1862. Expansionism history the major goal of the homestead act in 1862, which took effect on january 1, 1863, was to encourage settlement. An amendment to the homestead act of 1862, the enlarged homestead act, was passed in 1909 and doubled the allotted acreage from 160 to 320 acres 65 to 129 ha in marginal areas. A primary source history of the settlement of the american heartland in the late 19th century primary sources in american history. The worksheet can be printed for offline study, or used to. On january 1, 1863, daniel freeman made the first claim under the. The ideas of the jeffersonian democracy continued to have a powerful influence on american politics during the 18401850s, and they demanded for land in the west to become available to independent farmers. Passed by congress during the civil war, it had an idealistic goal. Be it enacted, that any person who is the head of a family, or who has arrived at the age of twentyone years, and. An act to secure homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain. Native americans had made the west their home, long before any homesteader moved there. In 1851, the indian appropriations act pushed indians to reservations in the west. Which of the following describes the homestead act of 1862.
Homestead act of 1862 summary the homestead act of 1862 was passed by the u. The homestead act, early republicans, and the coming of. This title explores the push and pull factors that encouraged settlers to migrate. A number of homestead proposals were presented to congress between 1830 and 1860 but were defeated by slavery interests or presidential veto. The civil warera act, considered one of the united states most important pieces of legislation, led to western expansion and allowed citizens of all walks. It was signed into law by president abraham lincoln on may 20, 1862. People cherished the freedom and space that the west provided, because it allowed them to own farms and room for cattle. The laws northern supporters had pursued a vision of taming the rough frontier for several decades, as. Homestead act, homestead act of 1862 map homesteader history. Since the homestead act started during the civil war, that little clause about not fighting against the union excluded nearly half the country. A primary source history of the settlement of the american heartland in the late 19th century primary sources in american history porterfield, jason on. The homestead act offered people a way of acquiring land without the needed capital. Summary of the homestead act of 1862 background with the secession of southern states from the union and therefore removal of the slavery issue, in 1862, the homestead act was passed and signed into law. Acting under a number of public land laws, including the 1862 homestead act signed by president.
General land office book bureau of land management. The homestead act was passed by congress in opposition to president lincolns lenient plan for reunification of the united states. A primary source history of the settlement of the american heartland in the late 19th century primary sources in american history at. In 1862, the homestead act and the pacific railway act. Another amended act, the national stockraising homestead act, was passed in 1916 and granted 640 acres 260 ha for ranching purposes.
The homestead act was one way settlers acquired land in kansas and other parts of the west. It was signed into law by the president abraham lincoln. The act stated that men and women over the age of 21, unmarried women who were head of households and married men under the age of 21, who did not own over 160 acres of land anywhere, were citizens or intended on becoming citizens of the united states, were eligible to homestead. The homestead act of 1862 37th congress session ii 1862 chapter lxxv. Signed into law by president abraham lincoln in 1862 during the civil war, the homestead act was the most comprehensive land distribution bill passed in the nineteenth century. In 1862, the homestead act and the pacific railway act were passed primarily to 1260622 1. President abraham lincolns signing of the homestead act on may 20, 1862 granted americans 160acre plots of public land for the price a small filing fee. At the time of the signing, 11 states had left the union, and this piece of legislation would continue to have regional and political overtones. Statement the homestead act of 1862 made surveyed lands obtainable to homesteaders. The homestead act of 1862 family genealogy, homestead. Abraham lincoln signed the homestead act into law on may 20, 1862. Homestead act of 1862 definition of homestead act of. Homestead act kansapedia kansas historical society.
President abraham lincoln signed the homestead act on may 20, 1862. Maybe the government had read maslows hierarchy of. The homestead act was a law passed by congress in 1862 that granted 160 acres of federal land to any u. The homestead act of 1862 was largely irrelevant in the midwest, where most of the land had been bought and paid for before the act was passed. Homestead act of 1862 article about homestead act of. Search in the 37th congress using the word homestead to find more congressional documents related to the homestead act. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Under the provisions of the homestead act, settlers could claim 160 acres of public land.
The homestead act was based off of farming and marketing for agricultural purposes. Homestead law forged a compact between people and the land. Also, you have to swear the land is going to be used for shelter and food for you and your family, not anybody else. Homestead act may 20, 1862 push factors the civil war had displaced thousands of farmers, former slaves, and other workers.
Homesteading center for the study of the pacific northwest. An act passed by congress in 1862 enabling persons who settled on undeveloped 160acre tracts of. Homestead act apush questions might relate to the motivations and consequences of westward expansion, as well as sociopolitical questions it raised. The first homestead act was passed on may 20, 1862 for the purposes of accelerating the settlement of the western territories. However, they ignored the fact that people were already living out west. Homestead act of 1862 synonyms, homestead act of 1862 pronunciation, homestead act of 1862 translation, english dictionary definition of homestead act of 1862. It provided for the transfer of 160 acres 65 hectares of unoccupied public land to each homesteader on payment of a nominal fee after five years of residence. Following the discovery of gold at sutters mill near san francisco, california in 1849, hundreds of thousands of people flocked to northern california in hopes of striking it rich. The homestead act also had catastrophic effects on many american indian populations and cultures. The homestead act of 1862 was a federal law promoting westward expansion by allotting 160 acres of free public land to individual settlers. Homestead act of 1862 legal definition of homestead act of.
And be it further enacted, that the person applying for the benefit of this act shall, upon application to the register of the land office in which he or she is about to make such entry. Although it was a great offer that held good intentions, there were many factors that kept this act from being successful. A law passed in 1862 to distribute land to settlers. An act that gave eligible people land out west essentially for free. The early homestead acts 1862 and 1866 were a series of acts designed and passed to encourage western land settlement. The book, a century of dishonor, written by helen hunt jackson and published in 1881, won wide fame by denouncing. The homestead act was the first instance of the government giving public domain to individuals, which meant something that was open to everyone was now being given out to own. Brush your history with a quick overview of the 1862 homestead act, one of abraham lincolns crowning legislative achievements. An individual was given ownership of the land for free if that person. The homestead act can be found the united states statutes at large, volume 12, page 392 12 stat.
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