Basics
What is the purpose of this act?
The purpose is to encourage westward expansion
Who is entitled to secure a grant of land from the Federal Government?
any adult U.S. citizen or intended citizen could secure a grant of land from the federal government
How would one go about applying for land under the act (filing the affidavit)?
file an affidavit with the local land office, stating you meet the required conditions
How much per acre did land under the Homestead Act cost?
It could cost $1.25 or $2.50 per acre depending on if it were unappropriated or not
How long would one have to wait in between filing an affidavit and securing final title to the land one settled?
One would have to wait five years between filing an affidavit and securing final title
What is meant by the term "public domain"?
it is land that belongs to the U.S. government and hasn’t been sold or given to private people or businesses yet
Can women secure such a grant in their own names, and if so, how?
Yes they can. They would have to meet the same qualifications as men and go through the same process
What documents were necessary to claim the land?
Proof of residence and cultivation
What is the largest amount of land a person can secure from the Federal government through this act?
160 acres
What did a settler need to do in the meantime?
They had to build a house on the lot they acquired, and they had to farm the land
Who was the President who signed the Homestead Act?
Abraham Lincoln
Who else might have wanted to profit from this deal, and how?
land speculators: By filing multiple claims under different names, they could acquire lots of land and then sell them off in smaller plots at inflated prices.
Railroad Companies: claiming land along potential railroad routes
How is the law trying to prevent various abuses?
There were a lot of qualifications that needed to be met
e.j; head of household, 21 y/o, served the Army/Navy, etc.