In the previous module, we discussed Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and its impact on the Civil War. The President was very worried that slavery would spread into the Native American lands of the West, and tried to find a way to open the lands so non-slave owners could move west and stay there. In 1862, he signed the Homestead Act, and the settlers were called homesteaders.

Objectives

Recognize the major provisions of the Homestead Act
Explain how geography and culture influenced two major sets of homesteaders
Relate the effects of the Homestead Act to people living at the end of the 19th century

Activities

Warmup: See how much you know about world events in the 1860s by taking the Context Quiz.

Quick Check 1: Homestead Act Provisions

What are two components of the Homestead Act?

You could buy the land if you were female, but you had to be born in the United States to get it.

Women could be homesteaders, but the government allowed immigrants to buy the land if they proved they were planning to become citizens.

You could get up to 160 acres, but you also needed to live on the land and farm it.

That's right! You were not allowed to get the land if you were actually living in New York City.

Quick Check 2: Vocabulary Recall

windmill

barbed wire

That's right.

dugout

covered wagon

Assignments (due Sunday at midnight)

Watch the Farmer and the Cowman from the musical Oklahoma and join the discussion.
Complete the Laura Ingalls Wilder assignment.
Prepare for Chapter 12 by studying the vocabulary.
Read Chapter 12 to prepare for Module 6: the Transcontinental Railroad.
Want to dig deeper? See the National Park Service's page on the Homestead National Monument.