Did someone say something about free shit?
Like this?
The Homestead Acts gave away 246 million acres of land. Research shows that 99.73 percent of that land went to whites, including white immigrants. 1.5 million white families were given free land or the equivalent of a minimum of $500,000 per family. Today 93 million whites still live on homestead land, which is at least 40 percent of the white population in America. That land has helped whites accumulate the wealth they have today.
"Overall, this process of land transfer provided a foundation for future growth both in terms of population and the economy. As the more western parts of the frontier were settled, the Homestead Act allowed development to occur in families and communities over time. With a legal title, the farmer could pass along accumulated assets and upward mobility to descendents. For example, the original homesteader might clear 80 acres, build a house and plant a few crops each year. The homesteader’s children might make more improvements by clearing the other 80 acres and raising livestock while continuing to sell crops. In addition, once enough farmers populated an area, there would be sufficient demand to establish a town, a school, retail stores, etc., creating economic opportunities outside of agriculture. This one-time transfer of property provided a mechanism and incentives for growth over generations rather than limiting benefits to one person or lifetime."
Williams, T. (2000).
The Homestead Act: A major asset-building policy in American history (CSD Working Paper No. 00-9). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
The Homestead Act: A Major Asset-Building Policy in American History
