While including the typical barons and knights, Simon de Montfort had also included burgesses (originally a freeman of a borough) from influential towns.
I'm pretty sure (1) Trade with Asia is right because the plague was carried by rats on ships coming from the East to the West.
Also, you can guess by the dates. The Black Death was in the 12th and 13th centuries, while conquest of Japan and exploration of the Western Hemisphere were in the 14th century.
The intent of each of these laws are:
1. Homestead Act - gave an opportunity to settlers to own a land with its requirement that the owner is the head of the family and is a citizen.
2. Pacific Railway Act - gave huge grants of land to railway companies.
3. Morrill Act - gave land to the states and establish colleges specializing in agriculture and mechanic arts.
