In what year were people first offered the opportunity to claim up to 160 acres of free land?

The Homestead Act was put into place in the year 1862.

The Homestead Act was put into act in order to encourage citizens to travel west and conquer land through Manifest Destiny. This act allowed citizens to claim up to 160 acres of free land, just as the description above states.

Hope this helps!

no every country is held to the same degree as others just some member countries such as the usa and germany are more economically sound so the need to show there support to all others