Final answer:
The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed individuals to claim 160 acres of land for a small fee, provided they improved it within five years. This led to significant land privatization, though only 30 percent of land was distributed this way. Improving and declaring property values was also linked to the individual's tax responsibilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The homestead principle in the United States has a rich history, originating with the Homestead Act of 1862. This act enabled individuals, including heads of households and unmarried women over the age of twenty-one, to obtain a parcel of land. An individual was entitled to 160 acres at a nominal filing fee. To maintain ownership, the homesteader was required to improve the land within five years. Improvements could include building dwellings or barns, clearing land for agriculture, or maintaining livestock. This historical approach to land distribution led to the privatization of over 270 million acres of public domain land.
Despite this, of the billion acres available, only 30 percent were distributed under the Homestead Act and similar initiatives. The majority of the land was purchased, often by wealthier individuals with the means to buy fertile lands near rivers or railroads. The government's reliance on land sales as a source of income, especially before the establishment of federal income tax, meant that the sale and improvement of land were critical to the nation's finances.
The homestead concept was also reflected in the way property taxes were calculated, with owners declaring the value of their homes and lands. Thus, the act of declaring and improving one's property was closely tied to an individual's legal and financial responsibilities to the state.