Which act provided land for railroad construction in the 1860s?

The Pacific Railway Act, passed in the 1860s, was crucial for the expansion of the railroad system in the United States. Specifically, it provided federal support for the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad. Under this act, the government granted land to railroad companies, enabling them to obtain enough resources to finance and construct their rail lines. The act not only facilitated the connection between the eastern and western parts of the country but also played a significant role in the development of the American West by promoting settlement and economic growth along the new rail routes.

In contrast, the Homestead Act focused on providing land to individuals for agricultural development, while the Morrill Act was primarily concerned with establishing land-grant colleges to promote higher education in agriculture and the mechanical arts. The Land Grant Act is a more general term and not as specific as the Pacific Railway Act when it comes to railroad construction in the 1860s.