Here are some of the key provisions of the Homestead Act:
* Any citizen of the United States, or anyone who had filed a declaration of intent to become a citizen, could claim 160 acres of public land.
* Settlers had to build a home on the land and live there for at least five years.
* They also had to make certain improvements to the land, such as planting crops or building fences.
* After five years, settlers could file for a patent and receive full ownership of the land.
The Homestead Act was a major success. It encouraged millions of people to move to the western United States and start new lives. The act helped to settle the West and contributed to the economic development of the United States.