Final answer:
The Homestead Act allowed families from the East to own and farm land on their own.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Homestead Act allowed many families from the East to reach their dream of owning and farming a plot of land on their own. It was passed by Congress in 1862 and provided 160 acres of public land to any applicant who was the head of a family or at least 21 years old. The applicants had to pay a small registration fee and commit to improving the land by building a dwelling and cultivating crops.
Learn more about Homestead Act