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. Homestead act definition of homestead act by the free. The homestead act offered 160 acre farm plots for almost no cost. The homestead act was based off of farming and marketing for agricultural purposes. An individual was given ownership of the land for free if that person. The senate passed the homestead act by a vote of 33 to 7 on may 6, 1862. When the homestead act became law in 1862, the area that later comprised. The homestead acts were several laws in the united states by which an applicant could acquire ownership of government land or the public domain, typically called a homestead. 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.
Community events past events sick lecturebook series. Homestead act synonyms, homestead act pronunciation, homestead act translation, english dictionary definition of homestead act. Oct 30, 2018 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. With lively language and engaging images, this book provides. The homestead act was signed as a law in 1862 by president abraham lincoln. 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. The late 19th century and early 20th century were a. The homestead act was a law passed by congress in 1862 that granted 160 acres of federal land to any u. Maybe the government had read maslows hierarchy of needs.
A primary source history of the settlement of the american heartland in the late 19th century primary sources in american history at. The lack of trees on the open plains forced settlers to build their first homes. Lincoln signed, and put into effect, the homestead act of 1862. Since the homestead act started during the civil war, that little clause about not fighting against the union excluded nearly half the country. The homestead act can be found the united states statutes at large, volume 12, page. The terms of this act allowed people to purchase 160 acres of plains land at a very small price.
This act was passed by the united states congress, but was ultimately vetoed by president james buchanan. Us president lincoln signed the homestead act into law in may of 1862, one year after the civil war had started. The homestead act was a push factor in peoples decision to move to the plains because people were paying close to nothing for 160 acres of land. 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 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 was the first of many acts, signed by president abraham lincoln on may 20, 1862. A law passed in 1862 to distribute land to settlers.
The homestead act can be found the united states statutes at large, volume 12, page 392 12 stat. 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. How did the homestead act of 1862 pull settlers to the plains. I will explain to you how the homestead act came to be and how the combination of three factors made it successful. Homestead act of 1862 summary the homestead act of 1862 was passed by the u. 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. Section ii center for the study of the pacific northwest. And be it further enacted, that the register of the land office shall note all such applications on the tract books and plats of, his office, and keep a register of all such entries, and make return thereof to the general land office, together with the proof upon which they have been founded. Letter to a new minority, talks about the ways in which white people have received certain privileges throughout history. Primary source the homestead act of 1862 37th congress session ii 1862. Search in the 37th congress using the word homestead to find more congressional documents related to the homestead act. The act provided settlers with 160 acres of surveyed public land after payment of a filing fee and five years of continuous residence.
The first of the acts, the homestead act of 1862, opened up millions of acres. This act provided a fair land distribution, so that average citizens were able to afford to buy a piece of land and use it as a family plot. This act was considered one of the major parts of the legislation and this act was the reason that led to the western expansion. Homestead act of 1862 synonyms, homestead act of 1862 pronunciation, homestead act of 1862 translation, english dictionary definition of homestead act of 1862. The homestead act of 1862 was the first of many acts. Was the homestead act a push or pull factor in peoples. People cherished the freedom and space that the west provided, because it allowed them to own farms and room for cattle. One of the first land claims to take advantage of the homestead act of 1862 was filed shortly after midnight on january 1, 1863. What was the homestead act of 1862 the homestead act of 1862 was federal legislation that allowed settlers to claim up to 160 acres of. Designed to spur western migration, the homestead act culminated a twentyyear battle to distribute public lands to citizens willing to farm. The homestead act was a major turning point in american history.
Claimants were required to improve the plot by building a dwelling and cultivating the land. 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. 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. A homestead and family west of callaway, nebraska, between 1886 and 1912. A primary source history of the settlement of the american heartland in the late 19th century primary sources in american history. Youll get full access to our interactive quizzes and transcripts and can find out how to use our videos to earn real college credit. Section 2 provides historical background and an overview of the. An act to secure homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain. Letter to a new minority, talks about the ways in which white people have received certain privileges throughout history, namely the homestead act which gave. Learn about the homestead act of 1862 through historical newspapers from our. Homestead act may 20, 1862 the lure of the west go west, young man. Homestead act, homestead act of 1862 map homesteader history.
The homestead act and the exodusters article khan academy. Homestead act apush questions might relate to the motivations and consequences of westward expansion, as well as sociopolitical questions it raised. Another amended act, the national stockraising homestead act, was passed in 1916 and granted 640 acres 260 ha for ranching purposes. An act passed by congress in 1862 enabling persons who settled on undeveloped 160acre tracts of. Jun 09, 2017 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 article about homestead act of 1862. The homestead act 1862 garnered widespread interest in settling the u. The homestead act was not repealed until the passage of. Mar 28, 2018 the senate passed the homestead act by a vote of 33 to 7 on may 6, 1862. The homestead act opened up more than half a million square miles in the western half the the united states during the civil war.
The homestead act and economic development scholars at harvard. Hopefully our fellow homesteader will find this complete unaltered text helpful, and an interesting look back at the history of homesteading. The homestead act of 1862 was a federal law promoting westward expansion by allotting 160 acres of free public land to individual settlers. If agricultural shocks during the settlement process would have been more likely to push homestead. President abraham lincoln signed the homestead act into law in 1862. The living conditions out in the west were harsh, however, which caused difficulties for homesteaders. 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. 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. Pull factors the pacific railway acts of 1862 and 1864 morrill landgrant act of 1862 homestead act, 1862 legally enforceable property rights when geographers study reasons for major migrations, they look at what they call pushpull factorsevents and conditions that either force push people to move elsewhere or strongly attract pull. Make sure you are familiar with the homestead act of 1862 using this interactive quiz.
Abraham lincoln signed the homestead act into law on may 20, 1862. An act passed by congress in 1862 enabling persons who settled on undeveloped 160acre tracts of land to gain title after meeting certain criteria, such. It was also notable for the opportunity it gave african americans to own land. 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. Dec 02, 2011 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. Which was the major result of the homestead act of 1862. But many of us can trace our heritage to parents, grandparents or greatgrandparents who spent their lives on a farm. The 1862 homestead act accelerated settlement of u. Homestead act of 1862 definition of homestead act of 1862. The homestead act may 20, 1862 gilder lehrman institute.
Homestead act of 1862 definition of homestead act of. About 93 million americans living today are the descendants of homesteaders who filed claims under the homestead act, according to historians at the homestead national monument of america, located near beatrice, nebraska. This act allowed any head of household who was a citizen or in the process of becoming one, including freed slaves, to claim 160 acres of. A primary source history of the settlement of the american heartland in the late 19th century primary sources in american history porterfield, jason on.
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. The homestead act of 1862 37th congress session ii 1862 chapter lxxv. Homestead act, 1862 apush study group wiki fandom powered. Two years later, with the civil war raging and southerners out of congress, the homestead act of 1862 became law. Be it enacted, that any person who is the head of a family, or who has arrived at the age of twentyone years, and.
It then looks at the development of those territories into states. In all, more than 160 million acres 650 thousand km 2. 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. Statement the homestead act of 1862 made surveyed lands obtainable to homesteaders. In a bid to encourage more people to move from the overcrowded eastern states onto the plains, the us government passed another homestead act in 1862. The homestead act of 1860 in the united states would have made land available for 25 cents per acre. The homestead act was passed by congress in opposition to president lincolns lenient plan for reunification of the united states. What was the reaction to passing the homestead act in 1862.
The 1862 homestead act provided free land conditional on five years of. The homestead act may 20, 1862 an act to secure homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain. The laws life of homesteader railroads exodusters native americans the dawes act. 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. In 1860, a homestead act was passed, but president james buchanan, fearing that the south would use it as an excuse to secede, vetoed the bill.
The new law established a threefold homestead acquisition process. In all, more than 160 million acres 650 thousand km2. The homestead act of 1862 a primary source history of the settlement of the american heartland in the late 19th century. The worksheet can be printed for offline study, or used to. Also, you have to swear the land is going to be used for shelter and food for you and your family, not anybody else. The homestead act offered people a way of acquiring land without the needed capital. An act that gave eligible people land out west essentially for free. But how to bring such service to his novel hotel on wheels. President abraham lincoln signed the homestead act on may 20, 1862.
266 1190 233 332 1497 206 981 107 930 523 964 201 1345 199 946 541 393 297 1426 578 611 822 1288 1467 943 68 1191 1250 284 647 1428 1439 1119 383 287 1023 879 330