Discuss the impact of the Homestead Act of 1862 on American society, particularly in terms of migration patterns and economic development.
Instructor solution
The Homestead Act of 1862 significantly impacted American society by encouraging westward migration. It offered 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, provided they improved the land by building a dwelling and cultivating crops. This led to a massive influx of settlers moving westward, contributing to the economic development of new territories. The act also facilitated the growth of agriculture and the establishment of new communities, although it often resulted in the displacement of Native American tribes.
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Which of the following was a direct consequence of the Homestead Act of 1862?
- A.
The immediate abolition of slavery
- B.
Increased westward migration and settlement
- C.
The creation of national parks
- D.
The establishment of the Transcontinental Railroad
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