Why were titles passed to settlers in addition to treaty purchases?

Settlers were granted titles to land as a way to encourage the spread of settlement, particularly in the context of westward expansion in the United States. This approach was instrumental in promoting the idea of manifest destiny, which held that American settlers were destined to expand across North America. By providing titles to individuals, the government incentivized migration to these new areas, fostering development and cultivation of land that had previously been unoccupied or underutilized.

The issuance of land titles directly facilitated the establishment and growth of communities, as settlers were more likely to invest time and resources in an area where they had legal ownership. This ownership not only encouraged agricultural expansion but also helped develop infrastructure and local economies, making these newly settled regions more viable and self-sustaining.

This focus on encouraging settlement aligns with the historical context in which land policies were enacted, as governments sought to populate and develop vast territories that were seen as essential for the nation’s growth and prosperity.