One of the main outcomes of the Civil War in terms of federal legislation was the passage of the Homestead Act in 1862.

This law provided 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, provided they improved the land by building a dwelling and cultivating crops. The act aimed to encourage westward expansion and promote settlement in the newly acquired territories. It played a crucial role in shaping the American landscape and supporting the nation’s growth in the post-war period.