The Homestead Act was a federal law that sought to shape the American West by populating it with farmers. The act provided for the transfer of 160 acres of unoccupied public land to each homesteader(入植者)at $1.25 an acre after 6 months of residence or for a nominal fee after 5 years of residence. Unfortunately, speculators took advantage of the generous law, securing(獲得する)much of the land.