I believe it means self government. If I remember right from that book, there was basically no government, so that means they had to take care of themselves because of no food, water, etc (until the end of course). I hope this helped. I wasn't too sure about this question, so hopefully its right!
Congress passed it to encourage people to move and settle west. they promised free land, and they knew that people would rush to claim it. The 1862 Homestead Act accelerated settlement of U.S. western territory by allowing any American, including freed slaves, to put in a claim for up to 160 free acres of federal land.
Audience analysis is the term usually used.
The flower dances in the rain
