Tackling the Problem of Homesteading (Edexcel GCSE History)

One of the challenges of homesteading on the Plains was the harsh environment. The Plains had hot summers, bitter winters and unpredictable storms. Settlers had to cope with droughts, floods, blizzards and other natural disasters. This destroyed homesteaders' crops, livestock and property.

Another significant challenge was water. The Plains had limited rainfall and few natural waterways. Settlers had to dig wells, construct irrigation systems or rely on rainfall to meet their water need. Homesteaders' found it challenging to find an adequate water supply. It was such a concern that railway companies claimed that the steam from their trains would encourage more rainfall in the Plains.

Homesteading also required savings. The average homestead cost between $800 to $1,000 to start up. This is because homesteaders needed to buy horses, farming equipment and tools to build houses and wells. Homesteading was a risky profession. If a homesteader could not grow crops, they would quickly run out of money.

Uses

• To pump water out of the ground 

• Helped farmers water and irrigate their land

• Increased the land's fertility, which helped to grow crops

Advantages​

• The windmill could pump water out of 30ft (9 metres) deep wells

• In 1870, the self-governing windmills had steel blades. This made the windmills more durable to survive the stronger winds on the Plains

Problem​s

• Water was still found a lot deeper than 30ft

• Some windmills needed constant repairs

Uses

• Grain was used for many food products

• Homesteaders could trade grain

Advantages

• This type of wheat from Russia grew well on the Plains

• Farmers could produce enough to start trading it

• It encouraged more settlers to buy homesteads

Problems

• Did not appear until 1873

• Only appeared when the railroad companies persuaded the Mennonites, a religious farming community from Russia, to move to the Plains

Uses

• To fence off crops to protect them from horses, buffalo and other animals

Advantages

• Cheaper than buying timber for wooden fences

• Effective at stopping livestock from ruining crops

• It helped homesteaders follow the law, which required the fencing off of farmland from roaming cattle

Problems

• Not used widely until 1880

• It was still expensive

• Early types rusted easily

Uses

• To cut through the tough, deep weeds and roots on the prairie of the Great Plains

Advantages

• Easy to operate and could be ridden on

• Very strong to use

• 50,000 sold in the first six years of production

Problems

• Still not as popular as the common ‘walking’ type ploughs, which farmers were used to

• Some Sulky Plows were very unstable and tipped over

• Gave white settlers more land

• Homesteaders had claimed 16 million acres by 1878

• Many trees grew in Minnesota

• Many trees died in Dakota and Nebraska due to a lack of water

• Settlers simply claimed the extra land to sell off for a profit​