The purpose of the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890 was to promote and support education in agricultural and mechanical arts. The acts were named after the Vermont congressman, Justin Smith Morrill, who sponsored them. The Morrill Act of 1862 granted federal lands to each state that were to be sold, and the proceeds were to be used to establish at least one college dedicated to teaching agriculture and mechanical arts. The Morrill Act of 1890 further expanded on the earlier act, providing additional funding and support for the established land-grant colleges. Both acts aimed to improve education in practical and scientific fields and ensure that higher education was more accessible to a broader range of students.
