Homestead Act of 1860

The Homestead Act of 1860 in the United States would have made land available for 25 cents per acre.

This act was passed by the United States Congress, but was ultimately vetoed by President James Buchanan.

[1] This was at a time where Northerners believed that the federal government should give 160-acre (0.65 km2; 0.25 sq mi) plots of vacant Western land to pioneers for free.

Southerners, who were very pro-slavery, worried that this would result in the West becoming populated with free-soilers.

This was the main reason for Buchanan's veto; he consistently did what the South wanted.