Farmers Settle in the West
In the late 1800s, many farmers (such as the ones shown on the picture to the left) settled West to live and farm on federal land. These people were very diverse. Some were southern African Americans, called ExodustersAll of them hoped for successful farming on the Great Plains. , who hoped to break free of the corrupt sharecropping cycle of the South. Others were the relatives of previous settlers. A lot of settlers were immigrants from Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
Why did these farmers move West?
Congress passed two acts of legislation in 1862 which encouraged farmers to move West. The first act was the Homestead Act, which gave federal land to farmers if they desired to farm in the West. Any adult citizen who moved West could receive 160 acres of land for farming if they payed a certain price and swore to live on the land for at least five years. The second act was the Morrill Act , which gave more than 17 acres of land to the state governments. As the law directed, states sold this land and used the profit to build colleges, such as Texas A&M. As you can see, there was a lot of land up for grabs and farmers didn't waste any time getting the land. Exodusters wanted equal rights as well as economic opportunity, and immigrants wanted to become wealthy as well. All of them hoped for successful farming on the Great Plains.
Why did these farmers move West?
Congress passed two acts of legislation in 1862 which encouraged farmers to move West. The first act was the Homestead Act, which gave federal land to farmers if they desired to farm in the West. Any adult citizen who moved West could receive 160 acres of land for farming if they payed a certain price and swore to live on the land for at least five years. The second act was the Morrill Act , which gave more than 17 acres of land to the state governments. As the law directed, states sold this land and used the profit to build colleges, such as Texas A&M. As you can see, there was a lot of land up for grabs and farmers didn't waste any time getting the land. Exodusters wanted equal rights as well as economic opportunity, and immigrants wanted to become wealthy as well. All of them hoped for successful farming on the Great Plains.
Farming Challenges
When farmers began farming on the Great Plains, they faced many problems. The Great Plains had a flat, grass-covered terrain and extreme weather during summer and winter. Also, the climate of the West was much drier than that of the East. Therefore, it was practically impossible for farmers to grow the same crops they had grown in the East.
How did farmers deal with these problems?
Farmers dealt with these problems by inventing helpful equipment and brainstorming new ideas for farming methods. The Great Plains were covered with root-filled dirt called sod, which made it difficult to plow. However, a manufacturer named John Deere invented the deep steel plow, which allowed farmers to break through the sod. The farmers who broke up the sod were known as Sodbusters. A new method called dry farming also aided farmers on the Great Plains. In the technique of dry farming, farmers grew crops which were not water-dependent such as red wheat. They also left left part of their fields unplanted to preserve water in the soil. These practices helped farmers survive droughts. Another method called mechanical farming also became popular. Cyrus McCormick was was a man who created farm equipment such as threshing machines, which separated the grain from the husk. These machines also meant that farmers needed fewer workers to pay for. This new technology improved farming on the Plains and made the Great Plains the "breadbasket of the world".
How did farmers deal with these problems?
Farmers dealt with these problems by inventing helpful equipment and brainstorming new ideas for farming methods. The Great Plains were covered with root-filled dirt called sod, which made it difficult to plow. However, a manufacturer named John Deere invented the deep steel plow, which allowed farmers to break through the sod. The farmers who broke up the sod were known as Sodbusters. A new method called dry farming also aided farmers on the Great Plains. In the technique of dry farming, farmers grew crops which were not water-dependent such as red wheat. They also left left part of their fields unplanted to preserve water in the soil. These practices helped farmers survive droughts. Another method called mechanical farming also became popular. Cyrus McCormick was was a man who created farm equipment such as threshing machines, which separated the grain from the husk. These machines also meant that farmers needed fewer workers to pay for. This new technology improved farming on the Plains and made the Great Plains the "breadbasket of the world".
Daily Life
What was life like on the Great Plains?
Living on the Great Plains was extremely difficult. When families arrived in the West, the first obstacle they had to face was building a house. Wood was not an abundant resource in the West, so settler families (like the one on the left) had to build houses out of sod. These houses were small and uncomfortable. The roof constantly leaked and there was even a snake or two in some. These homes were not exactly s comfy and safe as the ones we live in now. Families were kept busy by the extravagant amount of chores they had to do. Since they didn't have many supplies, they had to make their own stuff and sew their own clothes. They also had to wash their clothes by hand, since they didn't have washing machines. Pioneers made their own soap, called lye, which was a mixture of wood ashes and animal fat. In the families, women cooked meals and grew vegetables. They also raised livestock, such as chickens. The families worked hard all day in the fields and even children helped with tasks.
Living on the Great Plains was extremely difficult. When families arrived in the West, the first obstacle they had to face was building a house. Wood was not an abundant resource in the West, so settler families (like the one on the left) had to build houses out of sod. These houses were small and uncomfortable. The roof constantly leaked and there was even a snake or two in some. These homes were not exactly s comfy and safe as the ones we live in now. Families were kept busy by the extravagant amount of chores they had to do. Since they didn't have many supplies, they had to make their own stuff and sew their own clothes. They also had to wash their clothes by hand, since they didn't have washing machines. Pioneers made their own soap, called lye, which was a mixture of wood ashes and animal fat. In the families, women cooked meals and grew vegetables. They also raised livestock, such as chickens. The families worked hard all day in the fields and even children helped with tasks.
An important part of daily life on the Plains were communities. Farmers needed neighbors to rely on. Farmers who lived close to each other tried to establish communities in which they would all help each other. They did this by building churches and schools. Small pioneer towns raised money by putting on plays and diners. They even built their own schools by hands. These schools were small one-room buildings with a stove in the middle. Children went to school only part of the year and farmed the rest of the time. But by establishing schools and creating communities, farmers made the West an appealing place to live in.