BY: MRS. COATES TECHNOLOGY’S EFFECT

STANDARD/OBJECTIVE Summarize how technologies (such as railroads, the steel plow and barbed wire), federal policies (such as subsidies for the railroads and the Homestead Act), and access to natural resources affected the development of the West By the end of today’s lesson, you will be able to summarize at least 2 effects technology had on Western development.

REVIEW Many people were moving out to the West; mainly for economic opportunities. They found out they could make money through fur trading, mining, ranching, farming, and the railroad industry. In order to move out to the West, they traveled across dry, flat lands, mountains, and large rivers.

HOW PEOPLE SUCCESSFULLY SETTLED Remember, that the land was very dry and flat and they move West was a long, difficult adventure. So, how were they able to travel and settle more easily? They used different types of technology to help them: Railroads Steel Plow Barbed Wires

RAILROADS A type of technology that allowed people and goods to be transported more easily and quickly. The transcontinental railroad was built and provided a means of travel, attracted new immigrant settlers, and provided a way to transport goods grown in the West. Settlers chose railroad travel because it was faster and it was inexpensive.

RAILROADS CONTINUED Railroad companies owned lots of land in the West and they sold much of this land to settlers. They even advertised this land in Europe and this helped attract new immigrants. Towns developed along the routes. The railroad supported trade and economic growth by providing western farmers with a way of getting their crops to market.

STEEL PLOWS A type of technology that allowed people to break up the ground and farm more easily. The plows allowed farmers to break up the dry, flat land to make it better to grow crops. The plows also helped with gathering crops that could be traded for money – cash crops. Wheat and corn

BARBED WIRE A type of technology that allowed ranchers to protect their land from invaders. Other settlers could pose dangers to a rancher’s cattle because of theft. Cattle could often roam free and become lost, or eaten by other animals. The barbed wire allowed ranchers to create barriers for their cattle so they could make a profit from meat and dairy sales.

REVIEW Technology helped to make travel easier for settlers in the West. Railroad Brought people and goods to and from the West. Steel Plow Broke up the ground for farming and helped get crops from fields. Barbed Wire Allowed ranchers to create barriers to protect their cattle.

GUIDED PRACTICE With partners, you are going to complete a Pair Share with the information from today’s lesson. Partner A: Today I learned….. Partner B: That was a very interesting point. I also learned… Partner A: I remember that, too. Another fact we learned was… Continue until time is up.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE Create a chart on notebook paper and explain the effect each type of technology had on westward expansion. TechnologyEffect Railroad Steel Plow Barbed Wire