The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed settlers to claim land for free as long as they lived on it for five years and made improvements such as building a house. Until January 1, 1867, only freed black former slaves, and white supporters of the federal Union, were allowed to purchase the available lands.The Homestead Act of 1862 parceled out millions of acres of land to settlers. They included immigrants, farmers without land of their own, single women, and formerly enslaved people. Citizens from all backgrounds, including immigrants, farmers without their own land, women, and former slaves, could apply. To qualify for a homestead, you must: Own a property, Occupy the property as your sole or primary residence, Be a Minnesota resident. Blank application form that a homesteader and a Land Office Register had to fill out and. " This would in turn weaken the South's political position and perhaps even hasten the total abolishment of slavery. Minnesota and after slavery ended in the United States, the slave owners were compensated for the loss of their slaves. The Homestead Act had loose eligibility criteria and was open to a wide range of people, including single women, immigrants, former slaves and former soldiers.
