HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON The American Nation HOLT IN THE MODERN ERA 1 Chapter 5 THE WESTERN CROSSROADS Section 1: War in the West Section 2: Western Farmers Section 3: The Cattle Boom Section 4: The Mining Boom

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON The American Nation HOLT IN THE MODERN ERA 2 Objectives: How did the U.S. government promote economic development in the West? How did the U.S. government promote economic development in the West? Why did people migrate west? Why did people migrate west? How did the environment influence farming practices and daily life in the West? How did the environment influence farming practices and daily life in the West? What difficulties did farm families face on the Great Plains? What difficulties did farm families face on the Great Plains? Section 2: Western Farmers

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON The American Nation HOLT IN THE MODERN ERA 3 Promotion of economic development Homestead Act permitted any citizen or intended citizen to have 160 acres of land. Homestead Act permitted any citizen or intended citizen to have 160 acres of land. Pacific Railway Act gave lands to railroad companies to develop the transcontinental railroad. Pacific Railway Act gave lands to railroad companies to develop the transcontinental railroad. Morrill Act provided more than 17 million acres of land whose sale was to finance agricultural and engineering colleges. Morrill Act provided more than 17 million acres of land whose sale was to finance agricultural and engineering colleges. Section 2: Western Farmers

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON The American Nation HOLT IN THE MODERN ERA 4 Migration west White Americans sought cheaper lands or wanted to make a new start. White Americans sought cheaper lands or wanted to make a new start. African Americans wanted to escape persecution in the South. African Americans wanted to escape persecution in the South. Scandinavians had “America Fever.” Scandinavians had “America Fever.” Irish moved west after building railroads. Irish moved west after building railroads. Russian Mennonites moved after Russian czar ended their exemption from military service. Russian Mennonites moved after Russian czar ended their exemption from military service. Chinese came during Gold Rush and turned to farming. Chinese came during Gold Rush and turned to farming. Section 2: Western Farmers

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON The American Nation HOLT IN THE MODERN ERA 5 Environmental influence Lack of water and strong winds led to dry farming and irrigation. Lack of water and strong winds led to dry farming and irrigation. Lack of trees led to use of buffalo manure as fuel and building material. Lack of trees led to use of buffalo manure as fuel and building material. Harsh winters led to use of new varieties of wheat that withstood the weather. Harsh winters led to use of new varieties of wheat that withstood the weather. Section 2: Western Farmers

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON The American Nation HOLT IN THE MODERN ERA 6 Difficulties for farm families poor housing poor housing blizzards and cold weather blizzards and cold weather droughts droughts insects insects prairie fires prairie fires backbreaking work backbreaking work Section 2: Western Farmers