Question

The term pre-emption referred to the right of:_______.

Answer 1

Answer:

A) Squatters to secure title to land they had improved.

Explanation:

Preemption is also knows as squatters rights. It was the policy by which the first settlers on the public lands were allowed to purchase the property. The squatters pressured congress to allow them to get permanent title to the land and the congress passed many temporary preemption laws in 1830's.  

The eastern businessmen feared these laws as they considered that easy access to new lands would affect their labour supply.  These laws failed to satisfy the settlers demands.

A compromise was drafted by Henry Clay, it allowed the squatters to buy 160 acres of surveyed public land at minimum price of 1.25 dollars per acre before it was sold at public auction.

The pre-pre-emption act remain in effect for 50 and was replaced Land Revision Act in 1891.