WESTWARD EXPANSION MOVEMENT TO THE HOMESTEAD ACT 1
Westward Expansion Movement to the Homestead Act
Crystal Franzese
Chamberlain University
HIST 405 American History
Dr.Scott
9/22/2024
, WESTWARD EXPANSION MOVEMENT TO THE HOMESTEAD ACT 2
Introduction
The Westward Expansion movement rebuilt and morphed the American character
and personality, which in turn contributed significantly to the growth and impactful success of
the United States. Fostering a culture of independance,pioneers and settlers demonstrated
resilience,self-reliant and opportunity created the nations success. The connection of the
territories of the West with the rest of the country created railroads,telegraph lines and new
infrastructures through advancing technology. The establishment of new states and communities
often involved participatory governance and the spread of democratic principles. These traits
have been instrumental in the nation’s success. Economic Opportunity,The Manifest Destiny,
The Spirit of Exploration and adventure on uncharted territories were key aspects that built
Americas character and personality.
President Abraham Lincoln signed The Homestead Act of 1862 which opened up
the western frontier which now is know the midwest. This encouraged western migrartion by
providing settlers 160 acres of public land in exchange for a affordable small filing fee.This act
provided settlement and development of Western America and shaped American society in many
ways. Settlers including woman and freed slaves could lay claim to 160 acres of federal land by
residing on the property for five years and improving it which then can be owned. The act
motivated free-labor farmers to move west to establish fams and increase agricultural output. The
federal government also turned its attention to creating a transcontinental railroad to facilitate the
movement of people and goods across the country. Congress chartered two companies, the
Union Pacific and the Central Pacific, and provided generous funds for these two businesses to
connect the country by rail (Corbet et al., 2023).
Westward Expansion Movement to the Homestead Act
Crystal Franzese
Chamberlain University
HIST 405 American History
Dr.Scott
9/22/2024
, WESTWARD EXPANSION MOVEMENT TO THE HOMESTEAD ACT 2
Introduction
The Westward Expansion movement rebuilt and morphed the American character
and personality, which in turn contributed significantly to the growth and impactful success of
the United States. Fostering a culture of independance,pioneers and settlers demonstrated
resilience,self-reliant and opportunity created the nations success. The connection of the
territories of the West with the rest of the country created railroads,telegraph lines and new
infrastructures through advancing technology. The establishment of new states and communities
often involved participatory governance and the spread of democratic principles. These traits
have been instrumental in the nation’s success. Economic Opportunity,The Manifest Destiny,
The Spirit of Exploration and adventure on uncharted territories were key aspects that built
Americas character and personality.
President Abraham Lincoln signed The Homestead Act of 1862 which opened up
the western frontier which now is know the midwest. This encouraged western migrartion by
providing settlers 160 acres of public land in exchange for a affordable small filing fee.This act
provided settlement and development of Western America and shaped American society in many
ways. Settlers including woman and freed slaves could lay claim to 160 acres of federal land by
residing on the property for five years and improving it which then can be owned. The act
motivated free-labor farmers to move west to establish fams and increase agricultural output. The
federal government also turned its attention to creating a transcontinental railroad to facilitate the
movement of people and goods across the country. Congress chartered two companies, the
Union Pacific and the Central Pacific, and provided generous funds for these two businesses to
connect the country by rail (Corbet et al., 2023).
