How did life and landscape change on the Great Plains by 1900?

There were many changes that occurred in the Great Plains by 1900. One change was the status of the Native Americas. The Native Americans had been able to roam the Great Plains since they were relocated there in the 1830s. However, by 1900, the government policy toward the Native Americans had changed. They were placed onto reservations and didn’t roam throughout the area as much.

Two additional changes to the life and landscape of the Great Plains were the growth of the population and the emergence of farming. Many people had viewed the Great Plains as a vast wasteland. However, after the Civil War, people began to move there. With the use of sod houses and the development of new technology, people could live in the area and farm the land. New machines like the steel-tipped plow and the use of the seed drill made it easier to plant crops and farm the land. The mechanical reaper made it easier to harvest the crops. Thus, the population of the area grew.

People also moved to this area to find minerals and to raise cattle. As word spread about the discovery of gold and other minerals, people moved to the Great Plains. As it became more profitable to raise cattle, more people went there to do this. During the Civil War, the demand for meat increased. This helped to make cattle ranching a more profitable economic pursuit.

Another change was the growth of businesses. As more people moved to the Great Plains, businesses began to move there also. Transportation improved allowing businesses to be able to get supplies to the region and to ship products from the region. It also was easier for people to get to and from the Great Plains.

As more people moved to the Great Plains, the number of states in our country increased. Nebraska, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota are examples of states that entered the Union after the Civil War.

There were many changes that occurred in the Great Plains by 1900.