Changes

The '''Homestead Act''' of 1862 provided that any adult citizen, or intended citizen, who had never borne arms against the U.S. government could claim 160 acres of federal land. They had to "improve" the land by building a house and cultivating the fields. After 5 years occupation the farmer owned the land free, except for a small registration fee. Ownership was possible after only 6-months by paying $1.25 per acre. Union veterans could deduct their service time from the residency requirements. Women were entitled to homestead on equal terms as men. 10% were women before 1900 and 18% after.<ref> Harris (1993)</ref>

The '''Homestead Act''' of 1862 provided that any adult citizen, or intended citizen, who had never borne arms against the U.S. government could claim 160 acres of federal land. They had to "improve" the land by building a house and cultivating the fields. After 5 years occupation the farmer owned the land free, except for a small registration fee. Ownership was possible after only 6-months by paying $1.25 per acre. Union veterans could deduct their service time from the residency requirements. Women were entitled to homestead on equal terms as men. 10% were women before 1900 and 18% after.<ref> Harris (1993)</ref>

The national land policies from the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 sought in principle to provide cheap land to family farmers. strongest support came from Northern Democrats, but Whigs wanted high land prices to discourage settlement. Free grants were given in the colonial period, and in Oregon and Florida before 1862.  The federal government before 1862 sold its land, and the revenue helped keep taxes low.  The idea of "Free Soil" for "[[yeomen]]" farmers reflected [[Jeffersonian Democracy]] and was a major political issue in the 1850s. It was promoted by the [[Republican Party]] and opposed by Southerners. President [[James Buchanan]], a Democrat, vetoed a homestead law in 1860 but [[Abraham Lincoln]] eagerly signed the new law on May 20, 1862.  It opened up all federal land to homesteading.  

The national land policies from the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 sought in principle to provide cheap land to family farmers. Strongest support came from Northern Democrats, but Whigs wanted high land prices to discourage settlement. Free grants were given in the colonial period, and in Oregon and Florida before 1862.  The federal government before 1862 sold its land, and the revenue helped keep taxes low.  The idea of "Free Soil" for "[[yeomen]]" farmers reflected [[Jeffersonian Democracy]] and was a major political issue in the 1850s. It was promoted by the [[Republican Party]] and opposed by Southerners. President [[James Buchanan]], a Democrat, vetoed a homestead law in 1860 but [[Abraham Lincoln]] eagerly signed the new law on May 20, 1862.  It opened up all federal land to homesteading.  

The law made available millions of acres to farming. It was taken up especially by people with previous experience on farms back East or in Europe. Landless men or laborers seldom could afford the acquire the necessary tools, seed, and livestock. Many of them became farm laborers and worked their way up the "agricultural ladder." In the end, most of those who purchased land under the act came from areas quite close to their new homesteads (Iowans moved to Nebraska, Minnesotans to South Dakota, and so on). A small amount of fraud was involved.  

The law made available millions of acres to farming. It was taken up especially by people with previous experience on farms back East or in Europe. Landless men or laborers seldom could afford the acquire the necessary tools, seed, and livestock. Many of them became farm laborers and worked their way up the "agricultural ladder." In the end, most of those who purchased land under the act came from areas quite close to their new homesteads (Iowans moved to Nebraska, Minnesotans to South Dakota, and so on). A small amount of fraud was involved.