Final answer:
The Homestead Act of 1862 provided 160 acres of free land to settlers willing to farm and improve it, greatly influencing westward expansion and the distribution of land in the United States. Settlers had to meet certain conditions and pay a small filing fee to claim the land. The act was part of a larger goal to boost agricultural output and prevent the spread of slavery to the west.
Step-by-step explanation:
Homestead Act of 1862 and Its Impact on Westward Expansion
In 1862, the Homestead Act offered 160 acres of free land to those who agreed to farm it, a catalyst that accelerated westward migration in the United States. This act was a bold initiative by the federal government to encourage settlement west of the Mississippi River and assist in the country's agricultural expansion. Settlers were incentivized to claim and improve this land by building homes and cultivating fields as part of war-time effort during the Civil War. A small fee was required at the land office when the deed was filed, but the primary condition for the settlers was to enhance the land through agriculture and development.
Along with the Pacific Railway Act, the Homestead Act facilitated the movement of people and goods across the nation, fueling the growth of 'free soil' territories. The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 further spurred this migration, symbolizing the triumph of the 'Manifest Destiny' philosophy that drove Americans to spread across the continent during that period.
While the Homestead Act did provide opportunities for many, the most fertile and desirable lands were often sold or granted to developers, with only about 30 percent of such lands falling under homesteader claims. Nevertheless, the act played a significant role in shaping the agricultural landscape and demographic distribution of the United States in the 19th century.