Final answer:
A land rush or land run describes the historical events where people competed to claim the best plots of land during the settlement of the American West. The Homestead Act provided legal means for people to acquire land, although the best lands were often taken by land speculators, causing inequality and shaping the social and economic landscape of the frontier.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to describe the phenomenon of people racing to acquire the best plots of land is often referred to as a land rush or land run, which were events that happened primarily during the settlement of the American West in the late 19th century. This period saw a mad dash as individuals and families sought to claim the most desirable pieces of land, a process greatly affected by land speculators, who were known to acquire high-quality land early on, leaving less desirable land for those who arrived later.
The Homestead Act and other governmental initiatives provided a legal framework for settling vast tracts of land in the United States, but the most sought-after lands were often procured by those with better financial means or connections. During the land rushes, like the ones in Oklahoma, participants known as 'Boomers' and 'Sooners' raced to stake their claims, with success often boiling down to who could reach the best land first.
These historical events dramatically shaped the development of rural America, influencing class distinctions and the economy in the emerging frontier, and they remain a symbolic part of American history, illustrating the intense competition and entrepreneurial spirit of the time.