The Homestead Act of 1862 provided 160 acres of public land to settlers in the American West, incentivizing westward expansion and settlement. To qualify, settlers had to be at least 21 years old or the head of a household, and they were required to build a dwelling and cultivate the land for a minimum of five years. This act significantly impacted the U.S. landscape, promoting agriculture and economic development. It attracted a diverse group, including immigrants and freed slaves, ultimately contributing to the country's growth and the establishment of a more populous and economically thriving frontier.