Final answer:
The Homestead Act allowed individuals to claim free land by improving it. Congress financed the Civil War through income tax, increased tariffs, and issuing bonds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Homestead Act:
The Homestead Act of 1862 was a law passed by Congress in the United States that allowed any citizen or intended citizen to claim up to 160 acres of public land. To qualify for the free land, the individual had to be at least 21 years old or the head of a household, and they had to improve the land by building a dwelling and growing crops.
Congress and Financing the Civil War:
Congress implemented several measures to finance the Civil War:
- Income Tax: Congress passed the Revenue Act of 1861, introducing the first income tax in the United States. It imposed a 3% tax on incomes over $800 to fund the war effort.
- Increased Tariffs: Congress raised tariffs on imported goods to generate more revenue.
- Issuing Bonds: The government issued war bonds to borrow money from citizens and banks. These bonds were a promise to repay the borrowed money with interest in the future.
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