The Homestead Act, 1862

The Homestead Act: How much did it cost settlers?

$10 to make a claim for the land - but only one claim was allowed per person

How the act developed: reason

The more settlement on the Plains, the more acts the government introduced

The Homestead Act: What could happen after 5 years?

The settlers could purchase the land for $30 if they could prove they had farmed it

Which two laws had the US Government passed during the War which would have huge significance on settlement in the West?

-The Homestead Act, 1862 -The Pacific Railroad Act, 1862

Why was the act important?

1)It was the first proper settlement on the Great Plains - it encouraged migration west 2)It allowed the 'homeless' and 'landless' to purchase their own farm - it was cheap enough for anyone to claim lands 3)By 1867, over 6 million acres of land had been claimed by Homesteaders - this increased to 80 million and over half of Nebraska was claimed

The Homestead Act: How much land could settlers claim?

160 acre plots of land called Homesteads, enough land for housing and farming

How the act developed: The Timber Culture Act - when and what?

1873 - this gave settlers a further 160 acres if they agreed to plant 40 acres of trees, which would reduce the problem of fuel and timber for building

How the act developed: The Desert Land Act - when and what?

1877 - this gave settlers the right to buy another 640 acres of cheap land on the desert where there was low rainfall

Limitations of the act: challenging conditions

60% of homesteaders failed and quit before the 5 years were up - the Plains were too challenging for farmers because of the environment/weather

The Homestead Act: Who could purchase the land?

Nearly anyone if they were over 21 - women, ex-soldiers, ex-slaves, but no Indians

Limitations of the act: How much land was actually homesteaded?

Only 80 million out of 500 million acres available (26%) were actually homesteaded. Over 300 million acres were given to the railroad companies, which they could sell for profit - more people actually bought land from the railroad companies.

Limitations of the act: buying and selling for profit

Others bought land and then sold it on themselves for profit

Limitations of the act: fraudulent claims

Rich landowners were able to use the act to get land for a low price by getting people to claim for them. Cattle barons used it to enlarge their ranches.

What did the Homestead Act promote, and how?

Settlement in the West, by providing incentives for people to take unclaimed land

What had a serious impact on the development of the West?

The American Civil War (1861 to 1865) - between the northern (Union) and southern (Confederate) states. After 4 years of fighting, over 600,000 Americans had died and large parts of the east/south were destroyed, whilst African American slaves were freed. This led to many people (ex-slaves, ex-soldiers) looking to start anew in the West.

How the act developed: the outcome

This did increase those purchasing new land, but it was misused - especially for ranches to claim more land