1. What encouraged settlers to move west to the Great Plains?

2. Great Plains
The geography is dry grassland with few trees. From North Dakota through Texas and extends west to the Rocky Mountains.

3. Great Plains

4. Wheat Belt
This region begins of the Great Plains where Wheat is grown easily.

5. Wheat Belt

6. Railroads
During the late 1800s, the expansion of the railroads made it easier to move goods and people to the West.
Railroad Companies advertised and sold land along the lines at low prices and offered land on credit

8. The Homestead Act
Passed in 1862, the Homestead Act established a process for people to claim federal lands in the West.
For a small fee, an individual could apply for a homestead claim on up to 160 acres of land.
homesteaders had to build a dwelling and live/farm on their land for 5 years.

11. Question:
1) Explain how did farming, railroads, and the Homestead Act contributed to the settlement of the West?
2) What struggles did people face when settling the West?