History of the United States II / Unit 2 USH2 0159 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
The Cost of Free Land
The idea
The Homestead Act gave the land away, but a working farm was not free. The anchor puts the cost of supplies and equipment to establish a farm at about one thousand dollars, far beyond what most settlers had. Digital History adds that one hundred sixty acres was too small to be economical on the dry Plains, and that about a third of those who tried to develop homesteads eventually failed. The gap between a free claim and a working farm is the reason.
In practice
A settler holding title to one hundred sixty acres and lacking the thousand dollars to plough, build and plant them.
Where people slip
The familiar version says free land made independent farmers. The land was the cheapest part of the enterprise. Tools, animals, seed, fencing and water were the expensive parts, and settlers without them failed, while large operations with capital succeeded.
Your place on the trail
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