The Homestead Act was based off of farming and marketing for agricultural purposes. People cherished the freedom and space that the west provided, because it allowed them to own farms and room for cattle. The living conditions out in the west were harsh, however, which caused difficulties for homesteaders. The soil was dry, which made growing crops difficult at times. The Homestead Act came with many positive impacts as well as negative impacts.
Positive
The government had never before offered the people free land, especially not in such large quantities either. This encouraged people to travel west, which allowed the nation and economy to grow. Farmers increased their knowledge and skill in agriculture, which eventually led to types of crops that otherwise would not have existed. As a result of so much land being discovered and utilized, new resources became popular such as gold, silver, timber, and oil. People began building towns and starting businesses, allowing the economy to grow and thrive. As the towns grew, more jobs were created, which attracted more people to move out west.
The railroad industry grew immensely due to the expansion to the West. It reached all the way to the coast of California, which provided people with a fast and efficient form of transportation. Factories on the East coast were able to transport products quickly over to the West, and the West was able to send goods over to the East. Because of the new high demand for products, new technology was invented in order to support this demand. The entire nation was improving, all because the government decided to give out free land.
Negative
Expanding the nation further West came with many risks. Men and women were traveling out to land unknown, with little to no help along the way. One of the greatest concerns was of the Indians that lived out there, and how they would respond if they encountered homesteaders. The conditions out West were harsh as well, which lead to the death of many. Blizzards, intense winds, and tornados occurred often. People were given land that was unfit to be farmed on, which made them suffer from hunger, especially during the colder months. Livestock suffered from hunger as well, as vegetation was hard to find out West. A Montana homesteader John Heinen stated "..the business of raising wheat seemed to run into all kinds of difficulties...most of our neighbors have left us..I never could blame them for leaving. During bad years every family got more or less in debt." These conditions were so severe, that many homesteaders had no choice but to abandon their land and make their way back to the East coast.
Before the Homestead Act, Indians had been pushed to the West due to the American government. When homesteaders began moving West, the Indians had to deal with strangers moving onto their land. As people began building their lives out West, the land the Indians once knew had become populated, and the animals were hunted. The Americans depleted the numbers of buffalo, a major food source for Indians, within a surprisingly short time.
Positive
The government had never before offered the people free land, especially not in such large quantities either. This encouraged people to travel west, which allowed the nation and economy to grow. Farmers increased their knowledge and skill in agriculture, which eventually led to types of crops that otherwise would not have existed. As a result of so much land being discovered and utilized, new resources became popular such as gold, silver, timber, and oil. People began building towns and starting businesses, allowing the economy to grow and thrive. As the towns grew, more jobs were created, which attracted more people to move out west.
The railroad industry grew immensely due to the expansion to the West. It reached all the way to the coast of California, which provided people with a fast and efficient form of transportation. Factories on the East coast were able to transport products quickly over to the West, and the West was able to send goods over to the East. Because of the new high demand for products, new technology was invented in order to support this demand. The entire nation was improving, all because the government decided to give out free land.
Negative
Expanding the nation further West came with many risks. Men and women were traveling out to land unknown, with little to no help along the way. One of the greatest concerns was of the Indians that lived out there, and how they would respond if they encountered homesteaders. The conditions out West were harsh as well, which lead to the death of many. Blizzards, intense winds, and tornados occurred often. People were given land that was unfit to be farmed on, which made them suffer from hunger, especially during the colder months. Livestock suffered from hunger as well, as vegetation was hard to find out West. A Montana homesteader John Heinen stated "..the business of raising wheat seemed to run into all kinds of difficulties...most of our neighbors have left us..I never could blame them for leaving. During bad years every family got more or less in debt." These conditions were so severe, that many homesteaders had no choice but to abandon their land and make their way back to the East coast.
Before the Homestead Act, Indians had been pushed to the West due to the American government. When homesteaders began moving West, the Indians had to deal with strangers moving onto their land. As people began building their lives out West, the land the Indians once knew had become populated, and the animals were hunted. The Americans depleted the numbers of buffalo, a major food source for Indians, within a surprisingly short time.