- 1862 called one of most important pieces of Legislation in history of United States
o Signed into law by Abraham Lincoln after secession of southern states.
o Turned over vast amounts of public domain to private citizens.
§ 10% of America’s land claimed/settled under this act.
- Any US citizen or intended citizen, 21 + years age could file app and claim 160 acres.
o Therefore attracted settlers, immigrants previously without land from Europe.
§ Would include women and former slaves.
o Each were required to “prove it up”, that is, live on the land, build a home, make improvements and farm it for 5 years.
§ Only filing fee required was $18.
- Was used to invite Western migration.
o Northern businessmen opposed act
§ Feared would lower property values, reduce cheap labor supply as many would be moving West.
o Southerners feared homesteaders would increase anti-slavery movements.
- Passed 1862 due to added urgency for Union to secure as much western land as possible.
o Would protect from Southern Confed.
o By 1900 would file 600,000 claims for 80 mil acres.
- Remained in effect until repealed in 1976
o Homesteading cont in Alaska until 1986
§ One of last places where homesteading workable option then.
- Thought of as one of most revolutionary concepts for distribution of public land in history.
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