Baltimore Polytechnic Institute September 28, 2011 U.S. History Mr. Green

At the end of this lesson, the students will be able to describe how early settlers met the challenges of surviving on the plains and transformed them into profitable farm land by analyzing the social and psychological factors the settlers faced. Warm-up Question: Review the poster on page 231 and answer the following: 1. What was the purpose of the poster? 2. Do you think moving westward was a good move for a person? Why do you think so?

Settlers flock westward to farm Railroads open the west : 170 million acres given to the railroad companies to lay track in the West May 10, 1869 the transcontinental railroad was completed with a golden spike Assignment: 1. How was the Homestead Act used in a negative and positive way? You must use evidence from the text. 2. How did Oklahoma come to be known as the Sooner State?

Federal government protected the natural springs at present day Yellowstone National Forest in 1872 Challenges of the Plains Soddies-settlers dug out homes in the sides of hills Women helped in the field and all of the housework Technical Support John Deere-steel plow Cyrus McCormick-reaping machine

Morrill Land Grant Acts of 1862 and 1890 federal land to states to finance agricultural colleges Hatch Act of 1887 agricultural experiment stations Debt Farmers in constant debt as wheat prices rose and fell Assignment: How did the Hatch Act of 1887 impact farming?

Use the chart on page 233 to answer the following: Farmers had many problems on the plains that included: Treeless landscape, root-filled soil, sudden frost and hailstorms, and unpredictable rainfall You need to add to this list the social and psychological problems settlers, especially women-had to contend with.

How successful were government efforts to promote settlement of the Great Plains? Give examples to support your answer Page 234 #4

 Read Chapter 5 Section 4