Understanding the Homestead Act of 1862

What was the size of a typical homestead plot under the Homestead Act of 1862?

• 100 acres

• 160 acres

• 200 acres

• 250 acres

Who was ineligible to apply for a homestead after the Civil War?

• Freed slaves

• Immigrants

• Ex-Confederate soldiers

• Women

Which president signed the Homestead Act of 1862 into law?

• Abraham Lincoln

• Andrew Johnson

• James Buchanan

• Ulysses S. Grant

What was the main reason homesteading was contentious?

• It was believed to be a threat to Native American lands.

• Northerners and Republicans wanted it open to all, while Southern Democrats wanted it for slaveholders.

• There was a fear it would lead to overpopulation.

• It was seen as environmentally unsustainable.

Which group of migrants became known as exodusters?

• Northern industrial workers seeking better opportunities

• European immigrants seeking land

• African American migrants leaving the South after the Civil War

• People moving westward during the Gold Rush

How long did a homesteader have to farm the land to gain ownership?

• Three years

• Five years

• Ten years

• Seven years

Which states did the exodusters primarily settle in?

• Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona

• Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma

• California, Nevada, and Utah

• Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho

What was a requirement for applying for a homestead?

• Having previous farming experience

• Being under 30 years of age

• Having a minimum of $500

• Being a US citizen or eligible immigrant

What percentage of the United States landmass was granted to private citizens through the Homestead Acts?

• 5%

• 10%

• 15%

• 20%

Who were considered ineligible for homesteading after the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment?

• People without farming skills

• Ex-Confederate soldiers

• Women

• Non-citizens