The railroads were a very important factor in solving problems faced by homesteaders in the years 1870-90. This was due to a multitude of reasons, categorized as push and pull factors, particularly, the railroads had offered a solution to a majority of problems at the time. Also, the railroads were one of the biggest enabling factors, its benefits seemingly more important than others.
The homesteaders were attracted to moving across the Great Plains and settling in the West. This was due to factors which essentially pushed them away from the East like the migration of people from Europe, shortages in housing, inflation, overpopulation, crime and violence. Rumors of free fertile land, stories of success and the belief in the Manifest Destiny fueled the people to travel West. However as the homesteaders were en-route to the Western frontier they encountered several problems.
The first problem a homesteader would encounter is the journey. The Plains were natural and untainted, the land was unforgiving and rough. Carts pulled by oxen would tumble and rivers would swallow up supplies. Many people died just from the journey and accidents during the journey. On arrival to an appointed piece of land from the government or by simply finding suitable land, the homesteaders faced more problems. The families worked gruesomely together to plough the land. Without properly ploughed land, crops couldn’t be grown and hence food wouldn’t be available. Secondly, water was very hard to find, or rather, clean water was hard to find. Ploughing was also done for the intention of collecting sod, to build houses, though ploughing was difficult as the roots in the plains were very deep. If homesteaders were fortunate enough to grow crops, there was a high possibility that the crops would be ravaged by storms like tornadoes, powerful winds, draughts, and heavy snowstorms. Also pests would sometimes come in large swarms and consume any plants they come in contact with. Most of the homesteaders were originally city folk and were inexperienced in building their lives from scratch with little to nothing to work from. Lastly, the homesteaders were isolated from others, their neighbours would be miles away, supplies and materials were far from reach. Additionally, Native Americans may show up, either friendly or hostile. Hostile Natives would cause problems through raids or stealing supplies, even killing.
In 1874, several inventions came into place, the wind tower was made to extract water from deep underground, barbed wire was made to separate land and the railroad was made. All of these factors were helpful for the homesteaders in facing their problems, though the railroad was the most important factor. This is because the railroad spanned across the whole of the US from the East to the West and vice versa. Travelling across the plains was now significantly easier. Furthermore, supplies, materials, people, provisions and animals could be brought across the continent with the railroad. This solved many problems, if the Natives had caused a racket, the US army would intervene as the railroads allowed for easy transport. If supplies were lacking, the homesteaders could get some delivered by the railroad. Also, isolation was no longer a problem as more and more people came to the West and even settled around the middle of the US because of the railroads. If it wasn’t for the railroads, this wouldn’t be possible as it would be significantly harder to travel across. Lives were also saved technically because if it wasn’t for the construction of the railroads, more people would've fallen victim to the death on the journey. The railroads quite essentially connected America up and had brought solutions to the problems that were previously mentioned. Families could travel along to the West at a much faster time as compared to normal travelling speed by cart.
In conclusion, the railroads were an important factor in solving problems for the homesteaders in the years of 1870-90. This was because it gave solutions to nearly all the problems that the homesteaders faced in the plains. Or if it didn’t directly offer a solution it played a role in making the solution easier to obtain and reach towards.
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