Squatter’s rights are claims made by settlers to the land on which they have settled. During the westward movement in the United States, many people called squatters settled on unsurveyed public land with no title. They did so to avoid buying land or because there was not enough surveyed land to meet the demand. They generally built homes and cleared the land. They believed they had thus earned the right to buy the land at the minimum price when the government sold it. Squatters often formed claim associations to protect their land before public sales were held.
Most Westerners supported the squatters, and Western lawmakers backed bills to protect the squatters’ interests. The Pre-emption Act of 1841 recognized squatter’s rights. See also Pre-emption; Squatter.
