1. Settling the West: Homestead Act

2. Warm Up
As we read/watch, consider whether you would want to buy one of these homes.

3. Homestead Act
The Homestead Act of 1862 parceled out millions of acres of land to settlers. All US citizens, including women, African Americans, freed slaves, and immigrants, were eligible to apply to the federal government for a “homestead,” or 160-acre plot of land.

4. Southern Frustrations
Homesteading was a contentious issue, because Northerners and Republicans wanted to open the land to settlement by individual farmers, while Southern Democrats sought to make the land available only to slaveholders.
Southerners who fought for the Confederacy were later denied the opportunity to gain land through the Homestead Act.

5. Impact
Settling of the West—more US citizens will displace Native Americans.
Freed Slaves could leave the south, and get free land (exodusters)

6. Free, but…
Although the land was free, not all citizens chose to take it. Instead, many bought land. Today we will explore why that was the case.