Final answer:
Settling the Great Plains provided opportunities such as land ownership and diverse employment but also faced several disadvantages, including the negative impact on Native Americans, difficult farming conditions, social isolation, and high logistical costs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Settling the Great Plains: Advantages and Disadvantages::
Settling on the Great Plains offered several advantages, such as the opportunity for land ownership through the Homestead Act, the potential growth into large, profitable "bonanza" farms, and employment opportunities in not just farming but also in mining and cattle industries. However, there were significant disadvantages, including the displacement and suffering of Native American populations, challenging farming conditions such as soil erosion due to grid system plowing and low rainfall, and social isolation resulting from the sparse population density. Compounding these were the high costs of shipping and the added expenses of necessary technologies like windmills for water extraction. Despite these challenges, the changes in the West encouraged mobility among the American people and fostered a strong sense of individualism.
Advantages of Settling the Plains
- Opportunity for land ownership through the Homestead Act
- Potential for large "bonanza" farms
- Diverse employment in farming, mining, and cattle industries
Disadvantages of Settling the Plains
- Displacement and suffering of the Native American populations
- Challenging farming conditions and environmental setbacks
- Social isolation and individualism in sparsely populated areas
- High costs of shipping and additional technology expenses