Notes # 3 Settlers

Homesteading!!! When you go on land, sit on it, then its yours!!!

Why Homesteading??? Most of the land in the west was empty, and barren, meaning that nothing was there, it was going to waste. If the government could give land away with the promise that whoever owns the land will work it and make it pretty with trees and crops from farming, then the ugly land would be pretty land, useful land.

Then the Government Acts In 1862 the government passes the Homestead Act. This act gave up to 160 FREE acres of land to anyone who paid a $10 filing fee. They also had to live on the land for 5 years. The idea was that the homesteaders would take care of their land, improving the west. Also, it being so cheap, the government hoped that a lot of people would do it. Many other Homestead Acts were passed, promising other benefits.

Homesteaders in love with the west With the Homestead Act, many people from the east packed up their belongings and headed west. Thanks to Railroads, Boomtowns, and Cowtown's, the homesteaders were not alone in their travels. This made life a lot easier, and travel to west much more appealing.

Moving West The west was advertised by Railroad companies and towns as the place to be. Advertisement even reached other countries, where people immigrated (came to the country) just so they could start over in the west. Many African Americans traveled to the west looking for a better life. They were called Exodusters, playing off the Exodus from the Bible were slaves made their way to the promise land (the west) and freedom.

Harsh Conditions in the West The land was poor to begin with, that’s why the government wanted the Homesteaders to settle the land. But it wasn’t easy, and not everyone succeeded. Many farmers went into debt. Dry Farming was the most common approach, which called for planting seeds deep into the ground to get water, but it did not always work.

The Oklahoma Land Rush The Oklahoma Territory was the last land region in the west to be settled for it was originally reserved for Indians. But in 1889 the government opened it for settlers. April 22, 1889, thousands of people lined up on the border, waiting to claim land. These people were called “Eager Boomers”. However, the best land was already occupied by settlers who had sneaked in, they were called “Sooners” for they entered to soon.

Future Thinking? Was it a good idea for the government to give Homesteaders so much land. With so many people moving west, what do you think might happen with the Native Americans already there? Would you be a Homesteader? Use Notes # 2 as well: How did Cattle Ranchers and Homesteaders adapt to the west?