The Great Plains played a crucial role in U.S. westward expansion, acting as a vast frontier for settlers seeking new opportunities. Beginning in the mid-19th century, the Homestead Act of 1862 encouraged migration to these lands by offering settlers 160 acres of land for farming. The region's fertile soil and favorable conditions, along with the development of railroads, facilitated agriculture and economic growth. However, this expansion often came at the expense of Native American tribes whose lands and cultures were disrupted. The Plains also became integral to America's identity as a land of opportunity and progress, symbolizing the spirit of the frontier.