What did the Homestead Act declare (say)? Explain any issues people may have had with it?

The Homestead Act, enacted during the Civil War in 1862, provided that any adult citizen, or intended citizen, who had never borne arms against the U.S. government could claim 160 acres of surveyed government land. Claimants were required to “improve” the plot by building a dwelling and cultivating the land.

The biggest problem with the Homestead Acts was the fact that the size of the homesteads — 160 acres — was far too small to allow for the landowners to succeed as independent farmers.

cruel, heartless

explanation: