Settling on the Great Plains

Section 13-2 pp. 420-424

Preview Questions

• How did the U.S. government encourage people to go west?

• What was life like for settlers of the West?

Settlers Move Westward

• Railroads Facilitate Western Growth– Government gives land grants to RR companies so

the companies will build RRs to the West

– Union Pacific RR and Central Pacific RR compete to lay more track than the other company

– Work done by veterans and immigrants

Government Supports Settlement

• Homestead Act: – Gave 160 acres of land

to anyone who would farm it for five years

– Included exodusters

• Oklahoma Land Giveaway – Created “sooners”

Settlers Meet Challenges of Plains

• Challenges Included– Environmental Challenges – Loneliness – Amount of Work – Low Crop Prices– High Shipping Prices – High Equipment Prices – Loans

Settlers Meet Challenges

• Morrill Act – Established

agricultural colleges

• Bonanza Farms – Large single crop

farms