History of Land Settlement

Question 1

The Land Ordinance

Answer 1

1785, provided for rectangular land survey of the Old Northwest and a systematic way to divide and distribute land to the public.

Question 2

Homestead Act

Answer 2

1862; this act passed by Congress provided 160 acres of land to settlers for a fee of $18 and a guarantee of five years of residence.

Question 3

General Land Law Revision Act

Answer 3

1891; this Act provided the President of the United States with the power to create forest preserves by proclamation.

Question 4

Forest Management Act

Answer 4

1897; allowed the Secretary of the Interior to manage forest preserves.

Question 5

US Reclamation Act

Answer 5

1902; allowed the funds raised from the sale of public land in arid states to be used to construct water storage and irrigation systems.

Question 6

Public Lands Commission

Answer 6

1903; President Theodore Roosevelt appointed this commission to propose rules for land development and management.

Question 7

Antiquities Act

Answer 7

1906; first law to provide federal protection for archaeological sites. This Act allowed for the designation of National Monuments.

Question 8

Resettlement Administration

Answer 8

1935; formed to carry out experiments in population resettlement and land reform. The result was the development of Greenbelt towns.

Greendale, WI
Greenhills, OH
Greenbelt, MD

Question 9

Servicemen’s Readjustment Act

Answer 9

1944; GI Bill guaranteed home loans to veterans. The result was the rapid development of the suburbs.