Which event brought thousands of settlers to North Dakota in the late 19th century?

The Homestead Act of 1862 was pivotal in encouraging settlement in North Dakota, as it provided a mechanism for people to obtain land in the western United States. Under this act, individuals could claim 160 acres of public land for a small fee, provided they improved the land by building a dwelling and cultivating crops. This made land ownership accessible to many Americans, including immigrants seeking new opportunities.

The influx of settlers due to the Homestead Act significantly shaped North Dakota's demographic and economic landscape during the late 19th century, leading to the establishment of farms, towns, and new communities as people sought to take advantage of the abundant land available for agricultural purposes.

Other choices, while historically relevant, did not directly drive the massive influx of settlers to North Dakota in the same way. The Louisiana Purchase occurred much earlier and facilitated broader westward expansion but did not specifically lead to the settlement of North Dakota. The Great Migration refers to the movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North, which is not directly related to North Dakota's settlement by European immigrants. The Alaska Purchase pertains to the acquisition of Alaska from Russia in 1867, which did not influence settlement in North Dakota.