Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

What was one significant outcome of the Homestead Act?

1. The establishment of national parks

2. The rapid expansion of agricultural development

3. The restriction of land ownership to wealthy individuals

4. The creation of the American West as a mining hub

The correct answer is: The rapid expansion of agricultural development

The significant outcome of the Homestead Act was the rapid expansion of agricultural development. Enacted in 1862, the Homestead Act provided 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, provided that they lived on and improved the land for at least five years. This legislation aimed to promote westward expansion and settle the American frontier, significantly increasing the number of farms in the United States. As a result, many Americans, including immigrants and freed slaves, took advantage of this opportunity, leading to a surge in agricultural activity. The act facilitated the cultivation of the vast lands of the West, which were previously underutilized, and contributed to the establishment of a substantial farming economy. This development profoundly shaped American society, economy, and the settlement patterns of the country, fostering a culture centered around agriculture that would influence the nation's economy for generations to come. The other options do not capture the primary focus of the Homestead Act. While national parks were established for preservation and conservation, this was not a direct result of the Homestead Act. Land ownership was made accessible to a broader population rather than restricted to wealthy individuals, and although mining did occur in the West, the primary intention of the Homestead Act was to promote agriculture, not