Final answer:
The Homestead Act provided settlers with up to 160 acres of free land under certain conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Homestead Act, passed by Congress in 1862, allowed settlers to claim up to 160 acres of public land for free. This act was intended to encourage westward migration and help develop the American frontier. Settlers were required to improve the land by building a dwelling and cultivating crops within five years of receiving the land, after which they would receive full ownership.
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