The Great Land Rush and the Making of the Modern World, 1650-1900

by John C. Weaver

The Great Land Rush and the Making of the Modern World, 1650-1900 describes European appropriation and distribution of land in the new world. Integrating the often violent history of colonization of this period and the ensuing emergence of property rights with an examination of the decline of an aristocratic ruling class and the growth of democracy and the market economy, John Weaver describes how the landscapes of North America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa were transformed by the pursuit of resources. He underscores the tragic history of the indigenous peoples of these regions and shows how they lost "possession" of their land to newly formed governments made up of Europeans with European interests at heart. Weaver shows that the enormous efforts involved in defining and registering large numbers of newly carved-out parcels of property for reallocation during the Great Land Rush were instrumental in the emergence of much stronger concepts of property rights and argues that the period was marked by a complete disregard for previous notions of restraint on dreams of unlimited material prosperity.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

512 pages, Hardcover

First published April 24, 2003

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

The subject matter is important and the global approach offers real possibilities to provide valuable insights. And Weaver’s research is indeed impressive! He’s ranged widely to tap into some terrific sources (very helpful and appreciated as I prepared my own dissertation which explored a small but important subsection of the global land rush described by Weaver). Ultimately, though, Weaver falls short: It’s clear that before writing the first line or exploring his first source, he had identified his “villain” (capitalism, of course). And everything that followed became, of necessity, the brief for the prosecution. A thoughtful reader can’t help but wonder if the story might just be a bit more nuanced and complicated.

[Brandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book made me bang my head off of my desk and fall asleep a couple of times. It gets an extra star because it did spark some really great conversations in my grad class.

[Tony Yang · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping to read a book concerning the colonial land expansion, nation building and private property amassing. This book serves the purpose. Teemed with historical anecdotes, shared notions, legal practises and technology application, this book provides a panorama of the constellation of 5 English-speaking (mostly) settlements. Key words like "landrush" "landhunting" "squatting""grazing" "survey""land improvement/betterment/advancement" "free selection" combined to describe vivid pictures of the expansive land crossing from North America to South Africa to Australia and New Zealand. Facing uncharted lands, any means is possible: by hook or crook, by design/scheme, by courage, by force, by luck...Most importantly, throughout the human history, when a great chance emerged on the horizon, first came scrambles, rough and tumble, then prevailed jungle rules and finally, if not too late, rooted in rules and orders. It's all about speed. If you act slowly, you lose and the chance will never knock your door second times. Those who dare, grab whatever they can when they can. Those audacious are stuffed to death and those timid are starved to death.

[Ryder Hagemeister · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a perfect example of the academic obsession with “higher-level” language that doesn't add anything to the argument. The way the book is written makes it harder to access and distracts from the argument the author is trying to make. Reading this book feels like a prolonged punishment and should be avoided.

[soph! · Rating 1 out of 5]

i want to kms

[Stéfan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A long read but worth it