The Homestead Act (1862) granted land for former African slaves in Western U.S. Also, they were not "African Americans". They were freed, but many were not Americans yet. They were Africans :)
The working together of political opponents during the aftermath of the War of 1812 was a sign of the Era of Good Feelings. The Era of Good Feelings was a time period in American history where there was a sentiment of national purpose and a desire for unity after the Americans came out victorious from the War of 1812 and finally felt fully in charge of their own country.
