They are provided a few wooded areas, a creek, vast grasslands, and an opportunity for a more prosperous life. The worksheet can be printed for offline study, or used to. The act was signed into law by president abraham lincoln on may 20, 1862. The homestead act 1862 handout 7 pages with activities.
Homestead act of 1862 article about homestead act of. The homestead act, passed on may 20, 1862, was intended to hasten the settlement of lasting, legal communities in the western territory by granting 160 acres of surveyed public land to any adult u. It includes an information sheet about the homestead act of 1862 and a fillintheblank handout to make into a booklet. The purpose of the homestead act of 1862, which provided.
Hopefully our fellow homesteader will find this complete unaltered text helpful, and an interesting look back at the history of homesteading. Homestead act of 1862 the homestead act, passed by congress in 1862, declared that any u. Introduction history the homestead act of 1862 provided ownership of 160 acres of land in the west to anyone who lived on and developed the land for five years. The homestead act was passed by congress on may 20, 1862 to get people to move to the great plains. The homestead act in 1852, in the united states, a group calling themselves the free soil party had pushed for free land for homesteads in the west to be provided by the government. It said that any citizen of the united states could claim 160 acres of government land. Settlers deserted their democratic allegiance and were rewarded for supporting the republican party when president abraham lincoln, its first successful candidate, signed into law the homestead act on may 20, 1862. Homestead act of 1862 be it enacted, that any person who is the head of a family, or who has arrived at the age of twentyone years, and is a citizen of the united states, or who shall have filed his declaration of intention to become such, as required by the naturalization laws of the united states, and who. Another amended act, the national stockraising homestead act, was passed in 1916 and again increased the land involved, this time to 640 acres. After paying a small fee, homesteaders were to improve their land by living on it, building a dwelling home, and planting crops. On january 1, 1863, daniel freeman made the first claim under the act, which gave citizens or future citizens up to 160 acres of public land provided they live on it, improve it, and pay a small registration fee. Choose from 290 different sets of the homestead act of 1862 flashcards on quizlet. This act allowed any head of household who was a citizen or in the process of becoming one, including freed slaves, to claim 160 acres of unoccupied and surveyed federal land for a small filing fee. The homestead act can be found the united states statutes at large, volume 12, page 392 12 stat.
The homestead act may 20, 1862 an act to secure homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain. The government granted more than 270 million acres of land while the law was in effect. President abraham lincoln signed the act into law on may 20, 1862. President abraham lincoln signed the original homestead act into law during the second year of the civil war. Students are given the criteria needed to create their own homestead of 160 acres. The homestead act of 1862 helped the development of the. During the homestead era, about 270 million acres of federal land were claimed in 30 states, from florida to michigan to alaska. History of alaska homesteading bureau of land management. The homestead act of 1862 gave free land to americans willing to improve it, regardless of race, sex, or nation of origin.
It was also notable for the opportunity it gave african americans to own land. Another amended act, the national stockraising homestead act, was passed in 1916 and granted 640 acres 260 ha for ranching purposes. The rule will allow interstate sales among the southern users of the colorado riverarizona, nevada and california. The pacific railway act granted land to the union pacific and central pacific railroads to build a transcontinental railway along the 32nd parallel. Learn the homestead act of 1862 with free interactive flashcards. A bill was introduced to congress in 1854, but many in congress opposed it. Homestead act of 1862 synonyms, homestead act of 1862 pronunciation, homestead act of 1862 translation, english dictionary definition of homestead act of 1862. An amendment to the homestead act of 1862, the enlarged homestead act, was passed in 1909 and doubled the allotted acreage from 160 to 320 acres.
Unlikely allies, southerners feared homesteaders would add their voices to the call for abolition of slavery. Eyes on the economy, national council on economic education, new york, n. The homestead act and the exodusters khan academy free. Last year, interior secretary bruce babbitt announced plans to open a major water market among users of the colorado rivera move that some observers have described as the largest deregulation of a national resource since the homestead act of 1862. An act passed by congress in 1862 enabling persons who settled on undeveloped 160acre tracts of land to gain title after meeting certain criteria, such. The 1862 homestead act accelerated settlement of u. Search in the 37th congress using the word homestead to find more congressional documents related to the homestead act. The homestead act of 1862 37th congress session ii 1862 chapter lxxv. The laws northern supporters had pursued a vision of taming the rough frontier for several decades, as.
A primary source history of the settlement of the american heartland in the late 19th century primary. The purpose of the homestead act of 1862 was to sold tarifffree in the united states. The homestead act of 1862 is no longer in effect, but free land is still available out there in the great wide open often literally in the great wide open. Featuring 100 milestone documents of american history from the national archives. Passed by congress during the civil war, it had an idealistic goal. This differentiated activity is a fun way to learn about the homestead act of 1862. A primary source history of the settlement of the american heartland in the late 19th century primary sources in american history porterfield, jason on. This is a fantastic pdf handout to use for teaching the homestead act of 1862. Homestead act of 1862 legal definition of homestead act of. The homestead act of 1862 flashcards and study sets quizlet. Between 1868 and 1934, it granted 246 million acres of western land an area close to the land mass of both california. With some of the opposition gone, congress passed the homestead act on may 20, 1862 see document 1. In 1890, the us congress passed the, which removed tariffs on all foreign sugar imports.
The homestead act may 20, 1862 gilder lehrman institute. Our documents highresolution pdfs of homestead act 1862. The first homestead act passed congress in 1860, but president buchanan vetoed it. This lesson plan is from the national council on economic. Homestead act of 1862, legislative action that promoted the settlement and development of the american west. The government granted more than 270 million acres of land while the law.
President buchanan vetoed, a homestead act in 1860. Free land was the cry the homestead act of 1862 brought about significant and lasting changes to the united states. Homestead act of 1862 summary the homestead act of 1862 was passed by the u. Giving individuals from the united states and around the world the opportunity to claim free government land allowed nearly any man or woman a chance to live the american dream. The homestead act of 1862 was a landmark in the evolution of federal agriculture law. After paying a small registration fee, homesteaders had to improve their. Summary of the homestead act of 1862 background with the secession of southern states from the union and therefore removal of the slavery issue, in 1862, the homestead act was passed and signed into law. An act to secure homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain. Homesteada piece of public land that was transferred by the us government to a settler to develop into a farm.
An amendment to the homestead act of 1862, the enlarged homestead act, was passed in 1909 and doubled the allotted acreage from 160 to 320 acres 65 to 129 ha in marginal areas. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the united states of america in congress assembled, that any person who is the head of a family, or who has arrived at the age of twentyone. The homestead act of 1862 everything you need to know. Land and the roots of africanamerican poverty aeon ideas. The new law established a threefold homestead acquisition process. With southerners out of the picture in 1862, the legislation finally passed. The homestead act of 1862 helped the development of the west by a. Homestead actan act of congress passed on may 20, 1862, which assigned ownership of us public lands freeofcharge to the homesteader if they met three criteria. And be it further enacted, that the person applying for the benefit of this act shall, upon application to the register of the land office in which he or she is about to make such entry. Homesteaders included men, women, freed slaves, and european settlers. The homestead act free math worksheets, free phonics. There would be many repercussions in regards to this legislation and even today, the term free land has long since faded in memory.
Be it enacted, that any person who is the head of a family, or who has arrived at the age of twentyone years, and. Us president lincoln signed the homestead act into law in may of 1862, one year after the civil war had started. The senate passed the homestead act by a vote of 33 to 7 on may 6, 1862. Anyone, including women and minorities, was qualified to receive land under this act.
It allowed the head of a household a man or woman over the age of 21 to claim 160 acres of land and receive title to the land after living on the land for 5 years and improving the land by cultivating it and building a home see image 1. For landowners, the homestead act of 1862 was considered to be one of the most important steps in united states history for land distribution. Includes images of original primary source documents, lesson plans, teacher and student competitions, and educational resources. Make sure you are familiar with the homestead act of 1862 using this interactive quiz. President abraham lincoln signed the homestead act on may 20, 1862. The homestead act granted land to individuals who were jonesing for getting a slice of the american west pie.
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