USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Donation Land Claim Act spurred a huge migration into Oregon Territory by offering qualifying citizens free land. The act took effect on September 27, 1850, granting 320 acres of federal land to white male citizens 18 years of age or older who resided on property on or before December 1, 1850.

Detailed explanation-2: -27, 1850, the Donation Land Claim Act became law. That makes this week the act’s 170th anniversary. It allowed white settlers-and only white settlers-to claim 320-acre parcels of land in the Oregon Territory, which included the modern states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and parts of Wyoming.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Homestead Act, enacted during the Civil War in 1862, provided that any adult citizen, or intended citizen, who had never borne arms against the U.S. government could claim 160 acres of surveyed government land. Claimants were required to live on and “improve” their plot by cultivating the land.

Detailed explanation-4: -President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act on May 20, 1862. On January 1, 1863, Daniel Freeman made the first claim under the Act, which gave citizens or future citizens up to 160 acres of public land provided they live on it, improve it, and pay a small registration fee.