The significance of the Homestead Act of 1862 in expanding the U.S. frontier was profound. It was designed to encourage settlement and agriculture in the American West by providing 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, provided they improve the land over five years. This law facilitated the westward migration of thousands of families, contributing to the rapid development of frontier regions. However, it also had adverse effects on Native American populations and existing ecosystems. The Homestead Act played a vital role in shaping American identity and the landscape during a crucial period of expansion.