South Carolina US History EOC Practice Test 2026 - Free US History Exam Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Homestead Act was specifically designed to encourage westward expansion by providing individuals with the opportunity to acquire farmland. Enacted in 1862, the act allowed settlers to claim 160 acres of public land, provided they agreed to cultivate and improve the land for a minimum of five years. This initiative played a significant role in settling the American West as it attracted a diverse group of people, including farmers, immigrants, and those seeking a better life.

The act was rooted in the belief that land ownership was a fundamental right and a crucial element of individual independence and prosperity. By granting access to land for cultivation, the Homestead Act helped to transform the economic landscape of the nation and facilitated agricultural development, which was vital for the growth of the United States during that period.

Other acts mentioned in the choices, while important in their own rights, do not directly relate to providing farmland in exchange for cultivation. The Pacific Railway Act focused on the construction of the transcontinental railroad, the Indian Reorganization Act aimed to restore tribal sovereignty and land to Native Americans, and the Land Grant Act generally pertains to grants of land to states for educational purposes rather than direct individual land claims for farming.