1. The Settlement of the Great Plains Sodbusters

2. Focus Question List five reasons for people to move from one place to another. Explain which is the best reason to move.

3. Settling the Great Plains Last major part of the U.S. settled Believed area was a desert Passed over for the Pacific Coast

4. Post-War Drive Congress promoted settlement in the Great Plains Incentives to the Transcontinental Railroad Direct incentives to settlers

5. Homestead Act of 1862 Claim 160 acres of public land Agree to work the land for 5 years Build a house 12 by 14 Gained land for a $10 title fee Could buy land early for $1.25 an acre

6. Eligibility Adult male heads of household eligible Must be a citizen or plan to become one Originally could not have served in Confederate Army (amended)

7. Difficult Life Faced hardships Far from neighbors Arid conditions Faced numerous pests Lacked many comforts

9. Result Helped populate the west More than 1.6 million applications processed More than 270 million acres granted More than 60% failed

11. Summaries In a short response of two to three sentences, explain what you felt was the most important thing learned in class today.