Perspectives on the Sagebrush Rebellion

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Policy Stud. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1541-0072.1984.tb00323.x· OSTI ID:7028812

Dowdle, B

The Sagebrush Rebellion began in the late 1970s with the objective of transferring various categories of federally owned lands to the states. The movement was centered in western ''public lands'' states, where nearly half the total land area is in federal ownership. Within a relatively short period of time this objective was changed to one of ''privatizing'' federal lands, of selling these land into private ownership. While the Sagebrush Rebellion has been highly political in its activities, the movement can be viewed in the perspective of historical land disposition policies in the US. These policies were changed near the turn of the centruy from alienating public lands into private ownership to their retention and management by federal government. Confusion over the economics of building a free enterprise system based on private property rights, and the costs associated with building such as system, appear to have been major factors in changing land policies. Two important areas in which this occurred were the Homestead Act of 1862 and timber. The provisions of the Homestead Act imposed heavy costs on settlers, and these costs caused a reaction against the economic system that was being built. 15 references, 1 table.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Washington, Seattle
• OSTI ID: 7028812
• Journal Information: Policy Stud. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Policy Stud. J.; (United States) Vol. 12:3; ISSN PSJOD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290400* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LAND OWNERSHIP
OWNERSHIP
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PROPERTY RIGHTS
PUBLIC LANDS
PUBLIC POLICY
SALES