explain the homestead act of 1862.

Signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on May 20, 1862, the Homestead Act encouraged Western migration by providing settlers 160 acres of public land. In exchange, homesteaders paid a small filing fee and were required to complete five years of continuous residence before receiving ownership of the land.

The homestead act of 1862 was used to basically draw people out west to live. it was also for the gold miners who were moving out there

From there friends or an black doctor