Homestead Act Quiz

What were the settlers' citizenship requirements according to the Homestead Act?

• A settler needed to be (1) head of a family or (2) 21-years old AND (1) is a U.S. citizen or (2) have filed to become a citizen AND never have borne arms against the U.S. or given aid to enemies.

• A settler needed to be 18-years old and a U.S. citizen.

• A settler needed to be a head of a family and own property.

• A settler needed to be 25-years old and have a job.

How old did settlers have to be to claim land under the Homestead Act?

• 21 years old and head of a family

• 18 years old and a U.S. citizen

• 25 years old and employed

• 30 years old and a landowner

Why was there a clause about never having fought against the United States in the Homestead Act?

• To limit settlers to loyal Union settlers - not Confederates

• To ensure settlers had military experience

• To encourage settlers to join the army

• To prevent settlers from owning too much land

How long did the homesteader have to live on the property according to the Homestead Act?

• Five years

• Three years

• Ten years

• One year

In what ways did the homesteader have to improve the land?

• Build a home, stable, sheep shed, and corn crib and plant apple and peach trees

• Build a factory and a school

• Construct a road and a bridge

• Dig a well and plant a vineyard

Whose names are on the sample application for the Homestead Act?

• Daniel Freeman, settler and Richard F. Bonnet, Register

• John Smith, settler and Mary Johnson, Register

• Thomas Jefferson, settler and James Madison, Register

• Abraham Lincoln, settler and Ulysses S. Grant, Register

With what office are the Homestead Act documents filed?

• Land Office

• Post Office

• Treasury Office

• Patent Office

In order to locate this property on a map, what other information is needed?

• Latitude and longitude

• Street address

• Postal code

• City and state

Why do you think these documents are kept by the National Archives?

• To preserve history

• To sell to collectors

• To display in museums

• To use in legal cases

What year was the Homestead Act approved?

• 1862

• 1850

• 1875

• 1890