Land Rush

Definition

The land rush was a period of rapid and chaotic settlement of unoccupied public lands in the American West during the late 19th century. It involved the legal acquisition of land through various homesteading and pre-emption laws, as well as the illegal and often violent seizure of land from Native American tribes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The land rushes were often chaotic and violent events, with settlers racing to claim the best available land and sometimes resorting to armed conflict to secure their claims.
2. The Homestead Act of 1862 was a key driver of the land rushes, as it provided an incentive for settlers to claim and improve public lands in the West.
3. The land rushes led to the rapid settlement of the American West, but also resulted in the displacement and dispossession of Native American tribes who had previously occupied the land.
4. The land rushes were part of a broader pattern of westward expansion and the pursuit of Manifest Destiny, which was fueled by a desire for land, resources, and economic opportunity.
5. The land rushes had a significant impact on the development of the American West, leading to the establishment of new towns, farms, and communities, as well as the exploitation of natural resources.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Homestead Act of 1862 contributed to the land rushes in the American West.
  • The Homestead Act of 1862 was a key driver of the land rushes, as it provided an incentive for settlers to claim and improve public lands in the West. The act granted 160 acres of land to any citizen who improved the land and lived on it for at least 5 years, which led to a surge of settlers rushing to claim the best available land before it was taken by others. This rapid settlement of the West was a central feature of the land rushes, as settlers raced to secure their claims and establish new communities.
• Describe the impact of the land rushes on Native American tribes in the American West.
  • The land rushes had a significant impact on Native American tribes, as the rapid settlement of the West led to the displacement and dispossession of these communities who had previously occupied the land. The belief in Manifest Destiny, which fueled the desire for land and resources, often led to the violent removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands, disrupting their way of life and culture. The land rushes were a key part of the broader pattern of westward expansion and the subjugation of Native American peoples, with devastating consequences for these communities.
• Analyze the broader social, economic, and political implications of the land rushes in the context of 17.2 Homesteading: Dreams and Realities.
  • The land rushes were a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that had far-reaching implications for the development of the American West. On one hand, the land rushes represented the fulfillment of the dream of homesteading, as settlers rushed to claim and improve public lands, establishing new communities and economic opportunities. However, the land rushes also had significant negative consequences, including the displacement and dispossession of Native American tribes, the exploitation of natural resources, and the often chaotic and violent nature of the settlement process. Ultimately, the land rushes were a central part of the broader pattern of westward expansion and the pursuit of Manifest Destiny, which shaped the social, economic, and political landscape of the American West in complex and often contradictory ways.

Related terms

Homesteading:

The acquisition of public land by settlers through the Homestead Act of 1862, which granted 160 acres of land to any citizen who improved the land and lived on it for at least 5 years.

Pre-emption: The legal right of a settler to claim and purchase a parcel of public land before it was officially surveyed and made available for sale, often used to acquire land during the land rushes.

Manifest Destiny:

The belief that the United States had a God-given right and duty to expand its territory across the North American continent, which fueled the desire for land and the displacement of Native American tribes.