Homesteaders Flashcards
When was the Homestead act and what was its purpose? Pull factor
1862, it was intended to encourage people to the plains by giving them 160 acres of land, they had to live and farm on it for 5 years.
When and what was the Timber culture act?Pull factor
1873, gave settlers a further 160 acres of free land, as long as they planted 40 acres with trees.
When and what was the desert land act? Pull factor
1877, gave settlers the right to buy 640 acres of land very cheaply in dry desert areas.
What was the American civil war? Pull factor
A civil war between slave owners and anti-slavery, it was an argue net as to if slavery should be allowed in the west.
How did the end of the American civil war increase the amount of homesteaders? Pull factor
Thousands of demobilised soldiers wanted a new start as well as freed black slaves , they then became Homesteaders , Cowboys, miners, soldiers and rail-road builders.
What was the effect of railroads? Pull factor
The railroads linking East to West built in the 1860’s made it easy for homesteaders to get to the plains and land beside the rail roads became very cheap.
What were the push factors for the homesteaders moving to the plains ?
Farming land was not good
English, Germans, Irish, Russians and Scots were looking to escape poverty and unemployment
Jews and other religions were discriminated against
Ex-soldiers had lack of opportunities at home
Black ex slaves were being prosecuted
Economic failure ,Starvation and crops failed
What were the enabling factors ?
Travel- wagon, riverboat, railroads
Indians- these had been cleared from the land and confined to reservations by Us army .
What were the main problems caused for the homesteaders ?
Water shortages Extremes of water Fuel Dirt and disease Building materials Ploughing
Water shortage problems ?
Hygiene problems , growing crops was difficult : windmills pumped water from underground or dry farming , ploughing land in heavy rain this preserve moisture in earth.
Extremes of weather?
Drought in summer and cold in winter could damage crops:hard winter wheat and tumble weed.
Ploughing?
The dense grass made it back breaking: people became more determined and hard working .Sod busters.
Fuel?
No wood, had to use cow dung
Dirt and disease?
Sod houses with earth floors , hard to clean, fleas, mice ,snakes ,bed bugs , lack of water
Building materials?
Some wood, many used earth , warm in winter , cool in summer, cheap but water leaks.
