The Morrill Acts and Thier Effects
The impact on mid western settlers
The Morrill Acts
These laws were enacted in 1862 and 1890 to help create agricultural colleges by giving federal land to states.
The First Morrill Act
The Morrill Act of 1862 - gave each state 30,000 acres of federal land (which didn't have to be within the state - New York was given federal land in Wisconsin) to establish an official state college. The states either sold the land , or otherwise used the land to make money, such as selling the timber or mineral rights, which then funded the colleges.
The Second Morrill Act
The Morrill Act of 1890 - expanded this program to the former Confederate state. it also required states which restricted attendance to "white" students to have a separate-but-equal school for non-whites. Many of the "Historically Black Colleges" such as Grambling State in Louisiana and South Carolina State University were founded after this act.
Grambling State, Louisiana
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
South Carolina State University
It's Effects
Around the time of the first Morrill Act is when most Midwestern and Western states created their "flagship" universities.
The Hatch Act
The Hatch Act of1887 - authored by William Henry Hatch, established agricultural experiment stations to inform farmers of new developments. Agricultural researchers developed grains for ared soil and techniques for dry farming, which helped the land to retain moisture. These innovations enabled the dry eastern plains to flourish and become "the breadbasket of the nation."