Learn about the westward expansion of the United States post-Reconstruction through the story of Eric Stonestreet’s family in this clip from Finding Your Roots. Eric’s great-great-grandfather emigrated to the United States in the late 19^th century and was able to acquire property under the Preemption Act, which encouraged people of all backgrounds to move west onto federal lands. Why was it beneficial for the government to offer land in this way and why did so many people flock to it? What made this new way of life possible? Were there any downsides?