Settlement in the West 1877-1890 Flashcards
Railways in the 1890s
There were four other transcontinental lines by 1890s, partly financed by generous land grants from the federal government
Positive impacts of the railways
Brought substantial benefits both nationally and to the West
For example, it stimulate the growth of iron
Challenges for new settlers in the Plain
Name 2 points
1) Freight charges and interest rates on loans were often cripplingly high.
2) While the soil was rich, pioneer families fought a constant battle with droughts.
Agriculture
• Dry farming methods
It enabled farmers to grow particular types of corn and wheat even when there was scant rainfall.
Agriculture
• Barbed wire
In 1873, Joseph Gildden produced the first effective barbed wire, making it possible to fence land cheaply.
Success in this newly expanded agriculture
American production of wheat increased from 211 million bushels in 1867 to 599 million bushels in 1900.
Problems with the agriculture in 1870s
Western famers were heavily dependent on exports and the fluctuating price of wheat, which meant that they were unable to determine the price of things they bought and sold.
Example of the failure in agriculture in 1870s
Farmers who had borrowed heavily to finance their homestead and to purchase machinery went bankrupt
How farmers influenced politics in the 1890s?
Most farmers supported the Populist because it called for government control of transport and communication and more silver in the currency in order to ensure there was more money in circulation.
What was the Long Drive of 1867
It was a route whereby cattle could be driven north to the west of any settlement due to the climatic conditions in Texas.
Facts for cattle and the Long Drive of 1867
Between 1866 and 1885 a total of 5.71 million cattle went north by this route
The impact of railroads on cattle and ranching
As the railroads and farming frontiers extended further westwards, new trails came into being. Herds were driven on a second long drive to be fattened or to stock the ranches.
Criticism of the meatpacking business in 1868
The meatpacking business of Chicago exploited lives of immigrants with harsh working conditions
The end of the frontier
What did settling the west mean?
Settling the West meant losing the wilderness and that ‘uncivilised’ part of the American continent.
When was the end of the frontier
In 1890, for the first time in American history there was no large tract of unsettled land.
