Describe the homestead act of 1862 in your own words.

President Abraham Lincoln signed the law on May 20, 1862,
The Homestead Act encouraged Western migration by providing settlers 160 acres of public land. In exchange, homesteaders paid a small fee and it was essential to complete five years of continuous residence before receiving ownership of the land. After six months of residency, homesteaders also had the option of purchasing the land from the government for $1.25 per acre.