Answer:
The act provided settlers with 160 acres of surveyed public land after payment of a filing fee and five years of continuous residence.
Explanation:
The Homestead Act which was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on May 20, 1862 was instituted to encourage western migration by providing those that arrived, 160 acres of public lands. These migrants were required to make a payments of small filing fee and they were also required to ensure they live in that area continuously, for a period of five years before they can be granted ownership of the land.
