The Civil War removed the slavery issue because the Southern states had seceded from the Union. A homestead exemption removes part of the value from the assessed value of your property and lowers your property taxes.The Homestead Act of 1862 parceled out millions of acres of land to settlers. The homestead act helped americans buy their way into the american dream and independently build up wealth through land ownership. With Southerners out of the picture in 1862, the legislation finally passed. This included former slaves, immigrants, and single women. " This would in turn weaken the South's political position and perhaps even hasten the total abolishment of slavery. The Southern Homestead Act was initiated to help former slaves gain their own land. Homesteaders included men, women, freed slaves, and European settlers. Didn't own land, single women, and freed slaves.