The radiation left after the war. Along with the many people who died thereafter for many years. This also caused a nuclear war of sorts later on with Russia.
The statement that best summarizes why people were motivated to take advantage of the Homestead Act is: the act made it possible for people over twenty-one to start their own business.
People who are of the age of 21 and above and never participated any action against the US government were allowed to claim a federal land grant through an application process. Slaves and women were also allowed to do this.
