Large vs. Small Parcels of Western Land

Wikipedia on The Preemption Act of 1841, the  Donation Land Claim Act of 1850, and the Homestead Act (1862)

A summary of the Preemption Act 

The fight for the Preemption Act 

Good summary of the Homestead Act from NARA  

Primary Source Document: The Homestead Act

Free homes for free men. Speech of Hon. G. A. Grow, of Pennsylvania, in the House of Representatives, February 29, 1860

Horace Greeley and the Western Land Debate: “Go West, young man, go forth into the Country.”