Mexican land grants were parcels of land given by the Mexican government to individuals or groups, primarily during the early 19th century. These grants were intended to encourage settlement and development in areas that were sparsely populated, especially in regions that are now part of the southwestern United States. The grants often involved large tracts of land and were typically awarded to settlers, ranchers, or military veterans. After the Mexican-American War, many of these land grants became subjects of legal disputes, as the new American government had to determine their validity under U.S. law.