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Learn about the availability of land in the West during the 19th century, including the Homestead Act which provided free land, the challenges faced by settlers, and the different types of people who moved west.
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Availability of Land Homestead Act (1862) • Provided 160 acres of land, free of charge, if the claimholder cultivated the land for a period of 5 years. • Cultivation could mean planting crops or raising livestock. • Once a landholder received the deed the property could be given to heirs or sold.
Availability of Land • Lands that were not available under the Homestead Act were sold by land speculators. • These tracts were typically sold at extremely low prices or with favorable financing options. • The Homestead Act and other avenues for acquiring cheap lands encouraged thousands to seek their fortunes in the west.
Availability of Land Morrill Act – Provided federal land grants to western states for the purpose of establishing colleges and universities. Extended to southern states in 1890. Hatch Act – Created agricultural research stations in western states for the purpose of supporting western farmers. Combined, these acts had the effect of supporting and encouraging the settlement of western states and territories.
Availability of Land • The west was settled by a variety of people for a variety of reasons. • Some sought fortunes, some were trying to escape problems in their lives and others were seeking adventure.
Availability of Land • Hardships of all kinds were faced by those who settled the west. • Distance from towns and neighbors. • Need for self-sufficiency. • Harsh weather. • Native American hostilities. • Criminals.
Exodusters Former slaves who sought to leave behind the memories of captivity in the south and moved west to seek their fortune. • Civil War veterans, immigrants from Europe and elsewhere, poor farm families, miners, land speculators, missionaries and many others moved west in the post Civil War era.
