Frontier & Homestead Settlement History Quiz

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Frontier & Homestead Settlement History Quiz

Survey grids, townships, land claims (10 questions).

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Frontier & Homestead Settlement History Quiz: Quick Study Notes

The settlement of the American frontier was a monumental task, profoundly shaped by structured land management systems. This quiz explores the foundational geographical and administrative tools—survey grids, townships, and land claims—that facilitated the orderly expansion and allocation of vast territories, particularly through the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) and the Homestead Act.

Core Concepts

Survey Grids The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) established a uniform method for dividing land into measurable parcels. This grid system replaced older, less precise methods like ‘metes and bounds’, promoting clarity in ownership and efficient distribution.
Townships A fundamental unit of the PLSS, a township is a square parcel of land measuring six miles by six miles, totaling 36 square miles. It is further subdivided into 36 sections for easier management and distribution.
Land Claims Legislation like the Homestead Act of 1862 allowed citizens to claim 160-acre parcels of public land. Claimants were required to live on the land, cultivate it, and make improvements over a period, typically five years, to gain full ownership (known as “proving up”).
Key Terminology Understanding terms like Baseline (east-west line), Principal Meridian (north-south line), Range (columns of townships), and Sections (one-square-mile subdivisions) is crucial to grasping frontier land division.

Key Takeaways

  • The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) was crucial for systematic land division across much of the U.S. frontier.
  • Townships are 36-square-mile units, divided into 36 sections.
  • Each section in a township measures 1 square mile, equivalent to 640 acres.
  • The Homestead Act of 1862 offered 160-acre parcels to settlers who would live on and improve the land.
  • Land claims under the Homestead Act required a period of residence and cultivation to be “proven up” for ownership.
  • Baselines and Principal Meridians served as the primary reference points for PLSS surveys.
  • The grid system allowed for orderly expansion, clear property boundaries, and simplified land transactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Public Land Survey System (PLSS)?

The PLSS is a system used to survey and describe land in the United States, primarily west of the Ohio River. It divides land into a grid of townships and sections, replacing older, less precise methods.

How big is a standard township?

A standard township in the PLSS is a square area measuring 6 miles on each side, encompassing 36 square miles (approximately 23,040 acres).

What was the Homestead Act?

The Homestead Act of 1862 was a U.S. federal law that granted eligible citizens 160-acre parcels of public land for free, provided they lived on it, cultivated it, and made improvements for a period of five years.

How many acres are in a section?

A single section within a PLSS township is 1 square mile, which is equivalent to 640 acres. This unit was often further subdivided for land sales and claims.

What are Baselines and Principal Meridians in surveying?

Baselines are imaginary lines running east-west, and Principal Meridians are lines running north-south. They serve as the primary reference axes from which the entire PLSS grid of townships and ranges is established and measured.

GeoQuizzy.com • Frontier & Homestead Settlement History Quiz

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