The Homestead Act of 1862 opened the door for homesteaders to move and settle in the western United States. This was the first of several Homestead Acts. Under certain requirements, homesteaders were granted tracts of land for little or no money. The homesteaders themselves came from many places.
Many homesteaders came from European nations. Many left their homes in Germany, Russia, and Eastern European nations. Poverty was common among farmers in these countries. The European immigrants arrived in the United States in coastal ports, such as New York City. From there, they traveled west by wagon or by train. They then settled and set up homesteads. East Coast farmers also moved west to become homesteaders.
After the Civil War, freed slaves also moved west to set up homesteads. This gave them the opportunity to farm their own land and establish homes. Poor Southerners who were negatively impacted by the Civil War also moved west to become homesteaders.
No comments:
Post a Comment