Homestead Act
Which president signed the Homestead Act into
law?
When was the law signed?
What was the purpose of the Homestead Act?
How many acres did it provide settlers?
What were the requirements for someone to
get the land?
Homestead Act
Answer Key
Which president signed the Homestead Act into
law?
(President Abraham Lincoln)
When was the law signed?
(May 20, 1862)
What was the purpose of the Homestead Act?
(To encourage Western migration)
How many acres did it provide settlers?
(160 acres of public land)
What were the requirements for someone to
get the land?
(a small filing fee, plus either complete 5
years of continuous residence OR after 6
months purchase the land from the
government for $1.25 per acre)