THE HOMESTEAD ACT

PURPOSE

• The Homestead Act of 1862 secured homesteads to settlers on the public domain
• However, this "public domain" was not so public. This land belonged to the 
• native Americans NOT the government 

homesteaderS

• requirements for acquiring this land were that one must:              
• be head of the household (male OR female)
• be 21 years or older
• Have never taken arms against the U.S. Govt.
• have never aided any of the U.S.' Enemies 

the government

• the govt. enticed people to purchase land by offering them a patent if:
• They were on the land for at least 5 years
• They took care of the land

why

• the government wanted the land settled because:
• The land would be cultivated and farmed which was good for the economy
• it kept the land in the white peoples hands and forced Indians off it
• This meant more power to white people and the government.

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Sod home in the Great Plains circa 1895

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• the Homestead Act document: