Homesteaders

Question 1

When was the Homesteaders Act passed?

Answer 1

1862

Question 2

How many acres of land were allocated to each family?

Answer 2

160 acres

Question 3

How many years did they have to live and farm on the land to get it for free?

Answer 3

5

Question 4

When was the Timber Culture Act passed?

Answer 4

1873

Question 5

How many acres of land would be allocated?

Answer 5

160

Question 6

How many acres of land did trees have to be planted on?

Answer 6

40

Question 7

When was the Desert Land Act passed?

Answer 7

1877

Question 8

How many acres of land were people allowed to purchase which had lack of rainfall?

Answer 8

640

Question 9

What famous event meant that thousands of ex-soldiers moved west?

Answer 9

Civil War

Question 10

Name 4 pull factors for the Homesteaders :

Answer 10

The offer of free land, The chance of a new start, Advertising by the railroad companies and by the territories and states, Letters home from those who had already gone west, and who were successfully farming, encouraged people to move.

Question 11

Name 4 push factors for the Homesteaders :

Answer 11

Racial Abuse, High Taxes, Famine, Not owning land

Question 12

Name the five problems of living on the Plains :

Answer 12

Water shortages, Extremes of weather, Fuel, Dirt and disease, Building Materials

Question 13

Briefly describe the solutions to these problems :

Answer 13

Water Shortages - Wells were built, Windmills used to pump water
Extremes of Weather - Dry farming ploughing done during heavy rain or snow, dust preserved moisture
Fuel - Dried dung burned
Dirt and Disease -
Building Materials - Sod used to construct houses and mud used to plaster

Question 14

Name the invention made by Joseph Glidden which allowed areas to be protected and the date is was invented :

Answer 14

Barbed wire, 1874