Why did the homestead act motivate sellers to move to the great plains

Free land.

www.nps.gov/home/learn/historyculture/abouthomesteadactlaw.htm

Did you know?

Did you know that the Homestead Act of 1862 played a crucial role in motivating sellers to move to the Great Plains? This act, signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln, aimed to encourage settlement in the largely untamed West. Under this act, any head of household aged 21 or above could apply for 160 acres of land for a small fee. To keep the land, settlers were required to improve it by building a dwelling, cultivating the soil, and establishing a home within five years. As a result, sellers who wished to profit from the sale of this land were incentivized to move to the Great Plains and promote the development of the region. This act not only stimulated the growth of agriculture and communities in the Great Plains but also paved the way for the westward expansion of the United States.