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Westward Expansion and the
Homestead Act
Unit 1
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Standard & Objective:
U.S. 1 Explain how the Homestead Act and the
Transcontinental Railroad impacted the settlement of the
West.
Objective: Scholars will be able to identify the reasons for
westward expansion and describe the Homestead Act.
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America in 1865
● No major Railroads went West
● Traveling West was extremely long and dangerous – 2-
3 Months by land (Native American Resistance)
● 4-6 Months by boat, All the way around South America
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Westward Expansion
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Factors that Contributed to Settlement of the West1. Manifest
Destiny
2. Gold Discovered in California
3. Homestead Act of 1862
4. Transcontinental Railroad
5. The American Dream
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Manifest Destiny
● The west was viewed as the great untapped Frontier
● Manifest Destiny: Americans believed it was their God-
given duty to conquer the Western territories and unify
the Nation spreading democracy and freedom
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Territorial Expansion of the U.S.● 1803 Louisiana Purchase
● 1845 Texas
● 1848 Mexican-American War:
Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico,
Wyoming, California, Nevada, and
Utah
● By 1850, America gains the
Oregon Territory
Fill in your map to represent America in
1850
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Gold Rush & The American Dream ● 1848 Gold Discovered in
California
● Thousands of Americans head West lured by the idea
of becoming instant millionaires
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The Oregon Trail ● The only way West by land was via the Oregon
Trail
● 2,170 Mile route
● Dangerous and Difficult/Donner Party
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The Homestead Act
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The Homestead Act of 1862
● The U.S. Government encouraged the settlement of the
West
● 1862 Homestead Act: Millions of acres were given
away free in the West to anyone that would claim land
and live on it for 5 years. Requirements: ○ 21 Years Old
○ Head of Household
○ American Citizen
● First come first serve basis
● Could purchase up to 160 Acres
● Other Public land was sold for $2.50 an acre
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Let’s Discuss!Do you think the existence of the
frontier contributed to or hindered
the success of America?
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Data Based Questions:
Use evidence from the text in
your answers.
1. According to Turner, what
happens on the frontier?
2. Overall, does Turner see the
frontier and westward expansion as
a positive or negative?
3. In the last paragraph, what does
Turner predict the U.S. will do?
Why?
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Exit Ticket:
1. Which of the following was NOT a
qualification to own land for the Homestead
Act?
a. 21 Years Old
b. Head of Household
c. Male
d. American Citizen
2. What was the largest amount of land one
individual could purchase through the
Homestead Act?
a. 80 Acres
b. 200 Acres
c. 160 Acres
d. 240 Acres
