Land for the Taking.

In the 1820s and 1830s thousands of American citizens moved west to find a new life. Many of the emigrants dreamed of owning their own farms, but even though the federal government had gained control of massive parcels of land, thousands of the would-be farmers did not have the money to purchase land when it became available. Faced with the choice of remaining in the East or moving west and taking possession of land without paying for it, many Americans chose the latter course and became squatters. They knew that they would be able to farm their land until the individual who had obtained the title arrived to dispossess them. To the emigrants the West was vast. Many no doubt believed it was unlikely that the legitimate property owners would arrive at any time in the near future. Often with...