GCSEHistoryEdexcelRevision NotesThe American West, c.1835-c.1895Development of the Plains, c1862–c1876Tackling the Problem of Homesteading

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2016

Last exams 2025

|

Tackling the Problem of Homesteading (Edexcel GCSE History)

Revision Note

Test yourself
Zoe Wade

Written by: Zoe Wade

Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett

Why was Homesteading on the Plains so Challenging? - Summary

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.

How did the Railroads Improve Homesteading?

What did Homesteads Look Like Before 1854?

  • Before the development of the railways, homesteading was a challenging and isolating job

Illustration of homesteaders on the Plains with a sod house, horses, dry grassland, highlighting isolation and limited possessions.
A diagram showing a typical homestead before 1854

  • Railroads made homesteading easier because:

    • Homesteaders could use the trains to visit friends and family cheaply and quickly

      • This made homesteading less isolating

    • Homesteaders could order manufactured products from the industrial North

      • The Chicago-based 'Sears Roebuck & Company' would deliver goods to the nearest railway station

    • Towns developed near railway stations

      • This provided a market to sell crops and buy goods, entertainment and a place to meet other homesteaders

New Farming Inventions and Crops for Homesteaders

1854 - Self-Governing Windmill

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

1873 -‘Turkey Red’ Wheat​

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

1874 - Barbed Wire​

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

1875 - Sulky Plow

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

Examiner Tips and Tricks

The information above uses both 'plow' and 'plough'. The Sulky Plow was an American invention so it has the American spelling for the word. In Britain, 'plough' is our preferred spelling. In exam answers, you can use either spelling.

The Timber Culture Act, 1873

  • The US Government promoted the growing of trees to:​

    • Act as a windbreak

      • This sheltered crops from wind damage

    • Provide setters with timber for houses, fences, furniture and repairs

      • There were very few trees in the Plains

      • Many homesteaders used alternative building materials such as sod

    • To provide settlers with a fuel supply for heat

  • The Timber Culture Act:

    • Allowed homesteaders to claim an additional 160 acres if they planted trees on 40 acres of it

    • Aimed to reduce the number of homesteads that failed on the original 160 acres of land

How Effective was the Timber Culture Act?

Successes

Failures

  • 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​

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Some students struggle to remember the Timber Culture Act. Try to think of this act as an addition to the Homestead Act. It doubled the potential land that homesteaders had available to them in the Plains.

What did Homesteads Look Like By 1876?

A 19th-century homesteading family with livestock, a self-governing windmill, and crops. Caption highlights that some families had timber houses instead of sod houses, barbed wire, and improved connections to family and friends
A diagram showing the potential improvements to homesteading by 1876

Worked Example

Explain the importance of new farming technology for farming in the West

8 marks

Partial answer:

New farming technology was important for farming the Plains because it overcame the challenges of a lack of water. The self-governing windmill allowed water to be pumped up from over 30ft (or 9 metres) deep. This was important for farming because it allowed all homesteaders to find a reliable water source. Farming improved because homesteaders could use this water for crops and livestock. As a result, inventions like the self-governing windmill allowed more homesteaders to be successful and make money.

Examiner Tips and Tricks

This style of question in the exam paper would be worth 8 marks. An examiner would expect you to write two paragraphs analysing the importance of an event on a wider theme like migration. Ensure your answer has a chain of impacts in each one of your paragraphs. The worked example argues that:

  1. Self-governing windmills allowed water to be pumped up from over 30ft deep

  2. This allowed homesteaders to find reliable water sources

  3. Water could be used for crops and livestock

  4. This invention allowed homesteaders to succeed in making their homesteads successful and profitable

Last updated:

You've read 0 of your 10 free revision notes

Unlock more, it's free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

    Test yourself

    Did this page help you?

    Previous:The Pacific Railroad Act, 1862Next:The Impact of the American Civil War on Lawlessness
    Zoe Wade

    Author: Zoe Wade

    Expertise: History

    Zoe has worked in education for 10 years as a teaching assistant and a teacher. This has given her an in-depth perspective on how to support all learners to achieve to the best of their ability. She has been the Lead of Key Stage 4 History, showing her expertise in the Edexcel GCSE syllabus and how best to revise. Ever since she was a child, Zoe has been passionate about history. She believes now, more than ever, the study of history is vital to explaining the ever-changing world around us. Zoe’s focus is to create accessible content that breaks down key historical concepts and themes to achieve GCSE success.

    Bridgette Barrett

    Author: Bridgette Barrett

    Expertise: Geography Lead

    After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.