Final answer:
The Homestead Act provided settlers with up to 160 acres of federal land if they resided on it for five years and improved it, helping to promote American westward expansion despite the hardships encountered.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Homestead Act, passed by Congress in 1862, facilitated the process of western settlement, a major part of Manifest Destiny. It offered American settlers the opportunity to claim up to 160 acres of federal land, providing they resided on it for five years and made noticeable improvements. This legislative act played an integral role in the westward expansion, luring people with the promise of owning property and the potential for economic independence.
However, homesteading was not without its challenges. The arid and barren land was not ideal for farming, there were scarce resources for construction, and they had to endure extreme weather conditions, such as droughts and hailstorms, leading to disappointing harvests. Notwithstanding these hardships, many held on to their dreams of becoming successful farmers in the West, drawn by the spirit of Manifest Destiny and the independence they could achieve.
The Homestead Act, along with other federal measures such as the Pacific Railway Act - which brought about the construction of a transcontinental railroad, shaped the migration into the West. It was underpinned by President Abraham Lincoln's goal to prevent the spread of slavery to the West and support a 'free soil' mentality.
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