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The government took any unused Indian lands and gave them to white settlers.

Indian lands were cut in half

Also, tried to assimilate tribes into American society as yeomen farmers

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Endowed the President with the capacity to distribute land to Indians

Distributed land to individuals

Destroyed tribal communal system

Indians could not run farms because of financial ineptitude and a general lack of farming skills.

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The Federal Government provided railroad corporations with massive tracts of land as they laid more track. The government initiated the creation of more rails, in order to stimulate western Economy

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Congress passed the Pacific Railway Act

The Central Pacific Railroad and the Union Specific Railroad combined to form the Transcontinental Railroad

Railroads gave rise to cities, such as Denver, Dodge City, and Salt Lake City

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How did the Federal Government Encourage the development of a capitalist society in the west?

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How did the Federal Government Encourage the development of a capitalist society in the west?

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Created by Abraham Lincoln in 1862

Encouraged western settlement

Offered land for $1.25 per acre, or free land if farmers worked a plot for 5 years

270 million acres would eventually be given away for free

Few restrictions required to apply.

Must be 21 and cannot have taken up arms against the Union