Acts of 1862

The Homestead Act, signed into law by President Lincoln in May of 1862, gave 160 acres of free land to settlers willing to move west,  build a home, and farm the land for five years. The impact of the new law was enormous. The promise of free land attracted thousands of Americans west but would lead  to conflicts with Native Americans as more land was taken. Between 1860 and 1910, the number of farms in the United States increased from 2 million to more than 6 million as the west became even more populated and settled.

The first homestead certificate

Zoom in to look at the various colleges established.

The Morrill Act, signed into law by President Lincoln in July of 1862, granted federal land to states to build colleges that focus on agriculture and mechanical arts. (This is why some colleges have A&M in them, like Texas A&M). These "land-grant colleges" helped educate farmers and workers, improving American agriculture and industry. Over 60 colleges would be created as a result as millions were now able to access higher education.

For African Americans however, especially those in the South, they were not allowed to attend these universities but that changed with the passage of the  Second Morrill Act of 1890 which established sixteen higher education institutions specifically dedicated to the education of African Americans (like Prairie View A&M).  

When Texas rejoined the Union after the Civil War, the state legislature authorized the first Texas public college which opened October 4, 1876. This college is Texas A&M. (Mr. Williams thinks that is the only cool thing about Texas A&M).