Land, Its Abundance and Disposal

Abstract

THE existence of millions of acres of free land, and by extension, abundant resources, is crucial to the economic significance of Turner’s thesis because they provided opportunities for Americans both to improve their standards of living and to contribute to the rapid growth of the country. Academics who examine Turner’s propositions about western lands ask about their nature, extent and availability. They have generally confirmed their presence, but have qualified their freeness and questioned the methods of disposal and acquisition.