Land rushes

• 1889 - the US government opened the middle section of the plains up - the land was divided into 160 acres
• thousands of people queued up for the land to be 'opened' so they could rush to get the plot of land they desired
• Oklahoma land rush of 1893 - largest of 7 - 8 million acres sold
• 12 pm the land would open
• people chose land which was desirable - rivers, or next to friends
• help fulfil manifest destiny