Monday-
How did railroads and the Homestead Act help settle the Great Plains?
What challenges did settlers/farmers face on the Great Plains?
How did settlers/farmers solve some of these problems?
The Indians didn't like the railroad because it took up their land. Railroads allowed people to move West, and the east was more accessible. The government gave out 170 million acres for railroads. The government wanted to move west because they wanted more land, so they gave out lots of ground. By 1890 there was around 130,00 miles of railroad tracks in the US. South 2000-30000, Middle-3000-22000 miles of tracks.
Land speculator stole much of the land from the homestead act. They thought that they could make lots more money selling it after they bought it. Life on the Great Plains were not always easy- they needed to find food- the climate/weather was different. Hard to communicate, you weren't near anyone. There was a grass hopper plague. There was hard work, Native Americans were still on the plains, lack of trees. Railroads were charging high prices for farmers to transfer their grain. There was lots of debt. They became extinct in 1902. Everyone in the family had to chip in and help on the farm. Native Americans attacked the farmers in the late 1800's. Farmers had to mortgage so they could buy more seed and supplied. Crops were over produced to the prices of crops fell. Money became more valuable and you found less and less money. Farmers wanted more money in circulation which would be good for crop prices.
Tuesday-
Farmers didn't like the railroads.
Describe what the Grange was and their purpose.
Describe what the interstate Commerce Act did.
Describe who the populists were and what they believed in.
Grange- Husbandry is taking care of your animals and crops. They encouraged families to work together and promote the social, economic, and political well-being of farmers. This started after the Civil War, and it is still going on today. The Grange was founded in 1867, it is a nonprofit. There are more than 2,100 hometowns across the US that are part of the Grange. There was laws pasted that was made to fight back against the railroads. They wanted more fair prices from grain elevators and railroads.
Interstate Commerce Act- gave the Government power to supervise the railroads, they made sure the prices were fair and just. At first the railroads fought back so they couldn't really help the farmers anyway.
Populist Movement-started in Omaha. They wanted to help get the farmers out of debt, and gave people a greater voice in government. Wanted to increase money in circulation, currency should be redeemable in silver as well as gold. Graduated income tax- higher income- higher taxes.
They had 8 hour work day, reduce immigration.
Increasing money in circulation- Gold Bugs- wanted just gold The Silverites-wanted gold and silver.
William Jennings Bryan- Cross of old Nebraska congressman- he said that the cross of gold was not good for the farmers or laborers of the US.
Immigrants took our jobs.
Wednesday-
No School
Thursday-
Review for test
Friday-
Test
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