4. Multiple states had overlapping land claims of the western frontier and there were numerous disputes building as settlers attempted to move towards the region. Congress was unable to resolve the many claims. Why?

States opposed to Congress's request to discard the western lands.

Explanation:

As the Western Frontier opened for the settlers in America, many of the states claimed land and sold it to people, which remain unclear with other States claiming the same land. It was because of doubtful contents in the old colonial charter by states. Some of the States objected to Congress request of discard of western land. States with western land didn't want to give them up. There were several reasons for not following orders of Congress because landholders were upset as they would be powerless to resell the cheap land they had bought to make huge profits. Another reason was that the states feared they would lose population to the new States.