A Treeless Wasteland? Not Any More!

What do we KNOW about the Great Plains?

What do we KNOW about the Great Plains?

Great Plains 1 In the early 1800s, settlers headed west across America toward the Pacific Ocean. When they reached the Great Plains, they kept right on going. Why? The Great Plains were treeless flatlands that rose gradually from east to west. The land was tough prairie sod (soil) held together by grass roots but was eroded by wind and water when farmed. Drought and dust storms were common in the summer, and there was always the threat of prairie fires. Rainfall was irregular, and other water sources such as streams were scarce. Its climate was harsh with freezing cold winters and hot, dry summers. Reports were sent back East that the land was unsuited for farming, making it not fit to live on by those depending upon agriculture for their survival. It’s no wonder this area was called the Great American Desert on maps of that time.

Great Plains 1 In the early 1800s, settlers headed west across America toward the Pacific Ocean. When they reached the Great Plains, they kept right on going. Why? The Great Plains were treeless flatlands that rose gradually from east to west. The land was tough prairie sod (soil) held together by grass roots but was eroded by wind and water when farmed. Drought and dust storms were common in the summer, and there was always the threat of prairie fires. Rainfall was irregular, and other water sources such as streams were scarce. Its climate was harsh with freezing cold winters and hot, dry summers. Reports were sent back East that the land was unsuited for farming, making it not fit to live on by those depending upon agriculture for their survival. It’s no wonder this area was called the Great American Desert on maps of that time.

Great Plains 2 After the Civil War, people’s ideas about the Great Plains changed. Technological improvements allowed people to adapt to more challenging environments. Because of these new technologies, people saw the Great Plains not as a “treeless wasteland,” but as a vast or large area to be settled.

Great Plains 2 After the Civil War, people’s ideas about the Great Plains changed. Technological improvements allowed people to adapt to more challenging environments. Because of these new technologies, people saw the Great Plains not as a “treeless wasteland,” but as a vast or large area to be settled.

Great Plains 3 Barbed wire was the answer to one of the settlers’ main concerns—lack of wood. This new type of fencing was made up of twisted steel wires strung between wooden fence posts. Barbed wire fences were easier and cheaper to build than fences made of wood or stone. Farmers put them up to keep the cattle out of their fields while many ranchers did the same to keep their cattle from wandering off.

Great Plains 3 Barbed wire was the answer to one of the settlers’ main concerns—lack of wood. This new type of fencing was made up of twisted steel wires strung between wooden fence posts. Barbed wire fences were easier and cheaper to build than fences made of wood or stone. Farmers put them up to keep the cattle out of their fields while many ranchers did the same to keep their cattle from wandering off.

barbed wire Technological Advance Picture How did it help people adapt or adjust to life on the Great Plains? Additional Fact(s) barbed wire

Great Plains 4 As farmlands expanded, new technologies were needed to plant and harvest in the dry, dusty soil. The steel plow allowed farmers to cut through the thick roots of the prairie soil. An Illinois blacksmith by the name of John Deere designed the first steel plow, known as a grasshopper plow. A regular plow cuts a furrow or groove through the soil for planting, whereas a grasshopper plow cuts horizontally underneath a layer of sod (grass, roots and soil) and turns it over. Grasshopper plows were used to cut strips of sod used to build sod houses.

Great Plains 4 As farmlands expanded, new technologies were needed to plant and harvest in the dry, dusty soil. The steel plow allowed farmers to cut through the thick roots of the prairie soil. An Illinois blacksmith by the name of John Deere designed the first steel plow, known as a grasshopper plow. A regular plow cuts a furrow or groove through the soil for planting, whereas a grasshopper plow cuts horizontally underneath a layer of sod (grass, roots and soil) and turns it over. Grasshopper plows were used to cut strips of sod used to build sod houses.

Technological Advance Picture How did it help people adapt or adjust to life on the Great Plains? Additional Fact(s) steel plow

Great Plains 5 Windmills used wind power to pump water to the surface for families and crops. This water supply was used to meet the daily needs of households and livestock as well as to irrigate crops. Windmill water pumps also supplied water to railroads for their steam engines and allowed cattle ranchers to create green pastures for their growing herds.

Great Plains 5 Windmills used wind power to pump water to the surface for families and crops. This water supply was used to meet the daily needs of households and livestock as well as to irrigate crops. Windmill water pumps also supplied water to railroads for their steam engines and allowed cattle ranchers to create green pastures for their growing herds.

Technological Advance Picture How did it help people adapt or adjust to life on the Great Plains? Additional Fact(s) windmills

Great Plains 6 Without wood, settlers built sod houses, or “soddies,” of large bricks of prairie sod. “Soddies” were a source of cheap shelter. Hand-cut sod squares that contained long grass roots made flexible “bricks” that were strong enough to form walls and roofs. Although they were dusty and prone to leaks, sod homes were well-insulated. They kept homesteaders warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Great Plains 6 Without wood, settlers built sod houses, or “soddies,” of large bricks of prairie sod. “Soddies” were a source of cheap shelter. Hand-cut sod squares that contained long grass roots made flexible “bricks” that were strong enough to form walls and roofs. Although they were dusty and prone to leaks, sod homes were well-insulated. They kept homesteaders warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Technological Advance Picture How did it help people adapt or adjust to life on the Great Plains? Additional Fact(s) sod houses

Great Plains 7 Dry farming helped the farmers cultivate (farm) the drier lands of the Great Plains. In dry farming, the soil is plowed deeply to break up the sod and slow evaporation, keeping in the moisture.

Great Plains 7 Dry farming helped the farmers cultivate (farm) the drier lands of the Great Plains. In dry farming, the soil is plowed deeply to break up the sod and slow evaporation, keeping in the moisture.

Technological Advance Picture How did it help people adapt or adjust to life on the Great Plains? Additional Fact(s) dry farming

Great Plains 8 Farmers began growing crops that were better suited to the drier climate. They soon discovered that wheat was one of the few crops that adapted to the dry growing conditions of the “Great American Desert.” It quickly became one of the major cash crops of the Great Plains. Bonanza farms grew wheat and made large profits for their investors back East.

Great Plains 8 Farmers began growing crops that were better suited to the drier climate. They soon discovered that wheat was one of the few crops that adapted to the dry growing conditions of the “Great American Desert.” It quickly became one of the major cash crops of the Great Plains. Bonanza farms grew wheat and made large profits for their investors back East.

Technological Advance Picture How did it help people adapt or adjust to life on the Great Plains? Additional Fact(s) wheat farming

Great Plains 9 As farming prospered on the Great Plains, so did the cattle industry. After the Civil War, cattle ranches stretched across the Great Plains. Beef cattle were raised on large areas of open grassland unsuitable for growing crops. Railroads helped ranchers transport their cattle to cities in the East where the demand for beef was high. As the cattle industry grew, so did the competition between the ranchers and farmers for land.

Great Plains 9 As farming prospered on the Great Plains, so did the cattle industry. After the Civil War, cattle ranches stretched across the Great Plains. Beef cattle were raised on large areas of open grassland unsuitable for growing crops. Railroads helped ranchers transport their cattle to cities in the East where the demand for beef was high. As the cattle industry grew, so did the competition between the ranchers and farmers for land.

Technological Advance Picture How did it help people adapt or adjust to life on the Great Plains? Additional Fact(s) beef cattle

Great Plains 10 The expansion of the nation’s railroad system played an important role in westward expansion. The government had given the railroad companies millions of acres of land to encourage railroad construction into the western territories. After the Civil War, the companies began to sell the land surrounding the tracks to settlers at affordable prices, bringing settlers who would farm and start new businesses. Railroads transported settlers and goods to the Great Plains. They also provided farmers and ranchers a way to transport cattle and crops raised on the Great Plains to markets in the East where buyers were hungry for beef and grains.

Great Plains 10 The expansion of the nation’s railroad system played an important role in westward expansion. The government had given the railroad companies millions of acres of land to encourage railroad construction into the western territories. After the Civil War, the companies began to sell the land surrounding the tracks to settlers at affordable prices, bringing settlers who would farm and start new businesses. Railroads transported settlers and goods to the Great Plains. They also provided farmers and ranchers a way to transport cattle and crops raised on the Great Plains to markets in the East where buyers were hungry for beef and grains.

Technological Advance Picture How did it help people adapt or adjust to life on the Great Plains? Additional Fact(s) railroads