Final answer:
The Homestead Act expanded Union influence during and after the Civil War by encouraging settlement in the western territories, undermining the Confederacy, and promoting industrialization and urbanization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Homestead Act expanded Union influence during and after the Civil War by encouraging settlement in the western territories. Under the act, individuals could claim up to 160 acres of public land for a small fee, as long as they improved the land by building a dwelling and cultivating crops. This led to a significant increase in population and economic activity in the West, which further strengthened Union control over the region.
By offering land to settlers, the Homestead Act also helped to undermine the Confederacy's power. Many Southerners supported secession in part because they hoped to expand slavery into new territories. However, the availability of free land in the West reduced the appeal of slavery expansion for some, weakening the Confederate cause.
Additionally, the Homestead Act played a role in promoting industrialization and urbanization in the United States. As settlers moved westward and transformed the once wild frontier into agricultural and industrial hubs, the country experienced economic growth and development. This expansion of Union influence helped to shape the future of the nation.
Learn more about The Homestead Act and its impact on Union influence during and after the Civil War