The Homestead Act of 1862 and the Enlarged Homestead Act of 1909 caused a significant increase in the settlement and development of the American West. These acts provided opportunities for people to claim and own land in the western territories, which were previously owned by the government. As a result, many people migrated to the West to claim land and start farms, which led to the establishment of new communities and the expansion of the agricultural industry. However, the Homestead Act also had negative consequences for Native American communities, as their land was often taken without their consent or compensation, leading to forced relocation and the loss of their traditional way of life.