How did the federal government use land grants in the West in the 1860's?

In the 1860s, the federal government utilized land grants to promote westward expansion and stimulate economic development. The Pacific Railway Acts of 1862 and 1864 provided significant land grants to railroad companies, enabling the construction of transcontinental railroads, which facilitated transportation and settlement. Additionally, the Homestead Act of 1862 encouraged individual settlers to acquire land by providing 160 acres for a small fee, provided they improved the land over five years. These initiatives aimed to populate the West, support infrastructure development, and boost the economy.