Homestead Act and Western Migration Quiz

When was the Homestead Act signed?

• 1860

• 1862

• 1870

• 1880

How many acres of Western land could settlers receive under the Homestead Act?

• 160 acres

• 120 acres

• 80 acres

• 40 acres

What were the criteria for settlers to receive title to 160 acres of Western land?

• Being at least 30 years old, building a school, and working the land for 10 years

• Being at least 25 years old, building a barn, and working the land for 7 years

• Being at least 21 years old, building a house, and working the land for 5 years

• Being at least 18 years old, building a house, and working the land for 3 years

By 1900, how many acres had been filed for claims under the Homestead Act?

• 100 million acres

• 50 million acres

• 80 million acres

• 120 million acres

What caused the dreams of many Western farmers to be dashed?

• Tornadoes

• Floods

• Drought

• Earthquakes

What led to the fall in prices for crops for small farmers?

• Increased demand

• Mechanized corporate farms

• Decreased supply

• Government subsidies

What did railroads impose on Western farmers for transporting their goods?

• Discounted rates

• Low rates

• Steep rates

• Free service

Who uttered the famous line 'the public be damned' when small farmers complained about railroad rates?

• John D. Rockefeller

• Andrew Carnegie

• J.P. Morgan

• William Vanderbilt

What did many farmers take on in order to keep their farms?

• Savings from crops

• Investor funding

• Government grants

• Back-breaking debt

What did small farmers form to give them economic and political strength to survive?

• Cooperatives

• Syndicates

• Corporations

• Trusts