https://www.answers.com/american-government/Did_the_homestead_act_encouraged_settlers_to_move_west_by_offering_them_free_land
Land did encourage them, but it wasn't free, they were selling it to raise money for the Civil war.
homestead actencouragedsettlersmovewest
https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/homestead-act
Jun 2, 2021 - President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act on May 20, 1862. On January 1, 1863, Daniel Freeman made the first claim under the Act, which gave citizens...
homestead actnational archives