Chapter 19: Growth in the West Section 4: Farming and Populism

Our government REALLY wanted people to settle the west in the late 1800 ’ s They even gave away free land. They even gave away free land. The Homestead Act gave away 160 acres of land to anyone who: The Homestead Act gave away 160 acres of land to anyone who: Would live on it for 5 years… Would live on it for 5 years… …and improve the land in some way. …and improve the land in some way.

The other group that supported people moving west was: The Railroads. The Railroads. The government gave land to the railroads – to build on. The government gave land to the railroads – to build on. The railroads used some and sold some – used some to build and sold some to make money and have people living there who ’ d support their business. The railroads used some and sold some – used some to build and sold some to make money and have people living there who ’ d support their business.

It sounded great to people who wanted to move there, but when they got to their new land… It was not so nice. It was not so nice. These “ sodbusters ” had to build a home/farm from scratch. They had to build houses out of the only thing they had – sod (very few trees on the plains). These “ sodbusters ” had to build a home/farm from scratch. They had to build houses out of the only thing they had – sod (very few trees on the plains). They had to keep warm by burning corn cobs – or cow/buffalo _ _ _ _. They had to keep warm by burning corn cobs – or cow/buffalo _ _ _ _. Sometimes hard to find water. Sometimes hard to find water. Also, tornadoes, blizzards, droughts, animals/snakes, bugs, etc… Also, tornadoes, blizzards, droughts, animals/snakes, bugs, etc… Later on – new inventions helped – if they had the money. Later on – new inventions helped – if they had the money. These people were called “ sodbusters ”

After a while farmers realized they didn't have it so good. There were a lot more farmers growing more food, and the prices they could sell products for dropped – a lot. There were a lot more farmers growing more food, and the prices they could sell products for dropped – a lot. New machines cost money. New machines cost money. Railroads were charging more to store and ship products. Railroads were charging more to store and ship products.

So they started to organize a little bit Farmers formed granges - groups of farmers who organized and tried to come up with solution to issues. Farmers formed granges - groups of farmers who organized and tried to come up with solution to issues. And, they formed cooperatives - farmers who would work together to bring down their costs and increase their profits. And, they formed cooperatives - farmers who would work together to bring down their costs and increase their profits.

These farmers were dealing with the law of supply and demand There ’ s a balance between what businesses want for a product and what people are willing to pay for a product. There ’ s a balance between what businesses want for a product and what people are willing to pay for a product.

By the late 1880 ’ s, the open plains had pretty much disappeared Barbed wire had been invented – no more open range. Barbed wire had been invented – no more open range. Railroads had begun to divide up areas. Railroads had begun to divide up areas. There was only one area left which might still be open to settlement…. There was only one area left which might still be open to settlement….

The Indian Territory Where Native Americans had been sent at the time of Andrew Jackson and the Indian Removal Act – to what we call Oklahoma today.

It was decided that on April 22 nd, 1889…. Anyone who wanted land in the territory could go in and claim it. Anyone who wanted land in the territory could go in and claim it. This is when it officially changed from Indian Territory to the Oklahoma Territory. This is when it officially changed from Indian Territory to the Oklahoma Territory.

Photo of the state line – right when it was time to claim some land ?

Some people didn ’ t want to wait and snuck in sooner than they were supposed to