What are portions of the public domain given for services rendered, primarily military service?

Bounty Lands are specifically designated portions of the public domain that were set aside to reward individuals for their military service. The concept emerged in the United States, particularly after the Revolutionary War, when the government sought to incentivize enlistment and recognize the sacrifices made by soldiers. These lands were granted to veterans as a form of compensation for their service, allowing them to claim and settle on these lands after their military duty.

The term "bounty" reflects the idea of a reward or incentive given to service members and was prevalent during various conflicts, including the War of 1812 and the Civil War. This strategy helped to both honor veterans and promote westward expansion by providing them with the means to establish new lives in previously unoccupied areas.

Other options, while related to land and public domain, do not specifically refer to the practice of granting land in acknowledgment of military service. Homestead Lands, for instance, relate to general settlement policies for any new settlers, not exclusively veterans. Grant Lands may refer to various types of land grants, but they do not inherently imply military compensation. Claim Lands suggest areas that settlers can claim under different types of legislation but lack the specific military service connection that defines Bounty Lands.