 6 mile square called a township  Township had 36 sections  Each section was 1 square mile  1 square is 640 acres

 Required the purchase of an entire section  $1.00 per acre  Cost and labor proved overwhelming

 Lots reduced to 320 acres  Could pay in 4 installments  Graduated scale introduced .12-$1.25 Bonus to veterans

 Displaced farmers looked west  Preemption was accepted-individuals right to settle land first and pay later(credit)  Opposed by N-S, why?

3 Step Process  File Application  Live on and Improve the land  After 5 years, file for deed

Qualifications for a Homestead  Head of the family  Citizen  21 years of age  Had not fought against the Union

 The Government sold 10x acreage than was Homesteaded. Why did people buy land when the government was giving it away?

 Land was already being used by Native Americans, ranchers and trappers.  Had to live on it for 5 years  Had to farm the land and build a home  Some areas were infertile, no trees, little water  Poor location

 Access to the railroads  Closer to towns  Usually better soil for farming  Protected by the government  Higher resale value  Immediate ownership

 Republicans wanted votes  Deal not as sweet as it appeared  They knew it would conflict with Native Americans, ranchers and trappers.

 Cost to fix it up  Rent or resale value  Safety  Access to resources  School system