Which of the following acts encouraged settlers to move west and provided free acreage to those who made the journey?

The Homestead Act is the correct response because it was specifically designed to encourage westward expansion by offering free land to settlers. Enacted in 1862, the act allowed individuals to claim ownership of up to 160 acres of public land if they met certain requirements, such as building a dwelling and cultivating the land for a specified period, usually five years. This legislation aimed to promote the settlement of the American West by making land accessible to ordinary individuals and families, thus facilitating the development of agriculture and communities in those areas.

In contrast, the Land Grant Act primarily focused on providing grants of land for colleges and universities to promote education rather than directly encouraging settlement. The Smith-Lever Act is related to agricultural extension services and does not address land acquisition. The Morrill Act, while also related to education, specifically provided federal land to states for the establishment of land-grant colleges, primarily focused on agricultural and mechanical education. Thus, the Homestead Act is unique in its direct role in promoting westward settlement through the offer of free land.