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Outline

1	Chapter 10 Sodbusters
2	Why was the arrival of the railroad critical to the development of western Minnesota?
3	"Towns were established" Towns were established Trains transported produce Rails connected western MN to the rest of MN Mail traveled faster by rail Railroad officials sold land to farmers for a cheap rate Railroad attracted immigrants and encouraged settlement Population more than quadrupled in 20 years
4	Why was the Grange important?
5	"It educated farmers on farming..." It educated farmers on farming techniques, marketing and equipment. It offered farmers a social outlet Allowed women to be members Helped farmers organize cooperatives Became a political organization that campaigned for railroad regulation
6	Name a crop that was easy to cultivate.
7	"Wheat" Wheat
8	Is it true that some settlers to Minnesota actually lived in houses made of sod?
9	Yes!
10	What are the four ways a farmer could get a homestead?
11	"1" 1. Homestead Act (make a claim and live there for five years) 2. Buy land directly from the railroads or land speculators. 3. Settle on public land without permission and later buy the claim. 4. Gov. programs granted free land to soldiers.
12	What were some of the crops planted by settlers in their first year?
13	"Corn" Corn Turnips Potatoes Wheat (sometimes)
14	How did railroad inspectors sometimes cheat farmers?
15	They told them their grain wasn’t worth as much as it actually was.
16	How was thick sod on the prairie a benefit to the farmers?
17	The sod protected the rich soil beneath and stored water during the dry season.
18	How was thick sod on the prairie a drawback to the farmers?
19	The sod roots were thick and heavy, so cutting through them was hard work.
20	What were the first farms called? Describe them.
21	They were called subsistence farms. They produced only enough to feed a family and trade with neighbors.
22	In the 1860’s and 1870’s farmers started to raise one crop to sell for cash. What were some of the problems with this?
23	Raising just one crop began to deplete the soil’s nutrients. Also, farmers could not earn enough if prices for that crop were low.
24	What did farmers do when they realized that raising just one crop wasn’t the best option?
25	They started to diversify, with a variety of crops and livestock to protect the nutrients in the soil and help out if the market wasn’t good for specific crops.
26	What types of work did MEN do on the farm?
27	Men would: Plow Plant Harvest Repair buildings Care for animals Cut timber Do carpentry Dig wells Serve as lawyer Keep financial records
28	What types of work did WOMEN do on the farm?
29	Women would: Cook Laundry Make soap Sew and mend clothes Preserve food Care for animals Make cheese and butter Tend garden Care for children
30	What types of work did CHILDREN do on the farm?
31	Children would: Carry firewood Carry well water Weed garden Help in fields Gather eggs Bring in cows Help with younger children
32	Why was James J. Hill called the “Empire Builder”?
33	He entered the railroad business in 1878. During the 1880’s he expanded his rail network. He became one of the countries most powerful business leaders, owning coal mines, iron mines, water facilities and steamships.
34	What did Oliver H. Kelley found?
35	The Grange
36	How did speculators like Louis Fertile make money?
37	Speculators like Louis Fertile tried to guess which land would be valuable. They then bought homesteads they didn’t plan to live on, and then sold them for more money.