Homestead Act era

Definition

Refers to a period in U.S. history from 1862 to 1976 when the Homestead Act was in effect. The act allowed qualified individuals to claim up to 160 acres of federal land with the requirement of improving it by building a dwelling and cultivating crops.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny: The belief held by many Americans in the 19th century that it was their destiny to expand westward across North America.

Frontier: The undeveloped or sparsely populated areas at the edge of settled regions, especially during periods of migration or colonization.

Land Grants: Large tracts of land given by governments, often as rewards or incentives, for various purposes such as settlement or development.