The Homestead Act of 1862, was some of the most important legislation so passed by Congress, which thereby permitted, United States citizens, freed slaves, and even new immigrants so intending to become naturalized, to own 160 acres of western land, then owned by that government, of, for, and by the people; upon the salient condition that such land, be improved by those so paying the filing fee to own it. No doubt, the lure of all that free land was a tremendous incentive for those that went after that offer --who not only saw the opportunity to have that land but thereupon seized such with the necessary commitment and the drive to make that land viable in one way or another, or else to die trying.
Today’s government, still owns about 640 million acres of land, of which, the vast majority of that land is held in the western States. It is important to acknowledge that land, even undeveloped land, most definitely has value, and of which, there are millions of Americans that do not own any land, whatsoever; and of which, given the right circumstances would be interested in the opportunity to own some. In consideration, that even the best legislative acts, such as the Homestead Act of 1862, were in their time, “gamed” by America’s favored race, this thereby signifies that plenty of worthy Americans have still never been provided with the same sort of fair opportunity; and in addition, a significant amount of Americans have a background in which they were brought to this nation, against their will, and in a position that they were not their own person, but were considered to be property of another, as in, chattel slaves.
So then, in consideration that native Americans, as well as other people of color, have historically been denied or cheated of their Constitutional rights, and in the sure knowledge that this government has plenty of land that could, in fact, be provided, free of charge or at a nominal charge, to its own people, there should then be legislation so drafted to do exactly that, which could be of great material benefit to those previously left behind. After all, this good earth has proved again and again, to have natural resources which so developed has produced a great deal of wealth; and in addition, that which is developed and built upon this available governmental land is quite capable of providing good jobs and income for those that have the imagination, drive, and diligence to create businesses that provide needed goods and services for the people.
The Homestead Act of 1862, jumpstarted the development of what was considered to be the “west” at that time, of which its subsequent success was based upon the logic that those that have little or nothing, almost always want something; especially if the deal is as good as it actually appears to be, while requiring in return, no real capital other than blood, sweat, and tears. There isn’t at the present day, any good reason why this United States government can’t demonstrate that same sort of foresight, as was done more than one hundred and fifty years ago, and thereby to do right by the very people that need to feel that this really is the land of opportunity, freedom, and hope.