Question

Which of the following was the main reason for the rapid settlement of the Great

Answer 1

Answer: G. Congress passed a law allowing people to claim public land and convert it to  private property through homesteading.

Explanation:

The Homestead Act of 1862 by President Lincoln, allowed people to claim up to 160 acres of public land for a small fee and convert it to private property through homesteading provided they stay on the land and take care of it for 5 years.

President Lincoln said the Act was necessary as it would give every American the resources needed to better their lives and such was its popularity that it in force for 124 years until it was repealed in 1976.

Following the passing of the Act, a lot of people sought to take advantage of it and moved to new areas in the Great Plains to set up homesteads which led to the rapid settlement that occurred there.