How the Homestead Act of 1862 Disrupted Native American Land Rights and Communities

How did the Homestead Act affect natives?

The Homestead Act of 1862, a significant piece of legislation in the United States, aimed to encourage western settlement and agricultural development. However, this act had profound and often detrimental effects on Native American tribes, leading to the loss of their ancestral lands and the disruption of their traditional way of life. This article explores the various ways in which the Homestead Act impacted Native Americans and the long-lasting consequences of this legislation.