What major event led to the Land Run of 1889?

The Land Run of 1889 was a significant event that marked the opening of a large portion of Indian Territory in what is now Oklahoma to settlers. This event was primarily the result of the government’s decision to allow non-Native American settlers to claim land in areas that had previously been designated for Native American tribes.

The opening of Indian Territory created opportunities for settlement and homesteading, leading to the races where thousands of individuals rushed in to claim their plots of land as quickly as possible. This moment was a pivotal turning point in the westward expansion of the United States, as it facilitated the settlement of a region that had been restricted due to the presence of Native American nations.

The other events listed, while important in their own rights, do not directly relate to the specific motivations and legislative actions leading to the Land Run of 1889. The American Civil War preceded this event and influenced many aspects of American society, while the Indian Removal Act primarily focused on the displacement of Native Americans rather than the settlement by non-Natives. The Homestead Act provided frameworks for settling land but is not as closely tied to the specific opening of territories like that seen in the Land Run. Thus, the opening of Indian Territory is the most relevant and direct