Every government that ever existed more than transiently did this sort of thing. It's done every time the government wants to put in a road, a palace, a port, a

Every government that ever existed more than transiently did this sort of thing. It's done every time the government wants to put in a road, a palace, a port, a fortification, a school, a prison, a military base, a nationalized industry, etc. It's easier for communist countries, though, because the government already confiscated everything.