The social impact of the Homestead Act of 1862 on westward expansion in the U.S. was profound. By offering 160 acres of land to settlers for a small fee, this legislation encouraged a wave of migration and settlement in the western territories. It aimed to promote agricultural development and stimulate the economy following the Civil War. The influx of settlers transformed the landscape as individuals and families established farms and communities. However, this expansion often came at the expense of Indigenous populations, leading to displacement and conflicts. The Homestead Act significantly shaped American demographic and social patterns in the pursuit of Manifest Destiny.