USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Pacific Railway Act of 1862 is defined as ‘’a federal act passed during the Civil War that gave grants of land to railroad companies so they could build a transcontinental railroad throughout the United States. ‘’ It took place from 1863 to 1869, and was revised in 1864.

Detailed explanation-2: -To help develop the American West and spur economic growth, Congress passed the Homestead Act of 1862, which provided 160 acres of federal land to anyone who agreed to farm the land. The act distributed millions of acres of western land to individual settlers.

Detailed explanation-3: -Receiving millions of acres of public lands from Congress, the railroads were assured land on which to lay the tracks and land to sell, the proceeds of which helped companies finance the construction of their railroads.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Homestead Act encouraged western migration by providing settlers with 160 acres of land in exchange for a nominal filing fee. Among its provisions was a five-year requirement of continuous residence before receiving the title to the land and the settlers had to be, or in the process of becoming, U.S. citizens.

Detailed explanation-5: -At the same time that homesteaders were getting free land from the government, large tracts of land were granted to railroads by both the states and the federal government. The goal was to encourage the railroads to build their tracks where few people lived, and to help settle the country.