Ranchers Vs Homesteaders

• What was the purpose of the Homestead Act of 1862?

  To encourage migration onto the plains for farmers
• How much land did the Homestead Act of 1862 grant to individuals?

  160 acres
• What were the conditions for keeping the land granted by the Homestead Act?

  Pay a $10 administration fee and farm the land successfully for five years
• Why did ranchers come into conflict with homesteaders on the plains?

  Ranchers required large amounts of public grazing land
• What tactics did ranchers use to block homesteaders from claiming public grazing land?

  Both legal and illegal tactics
• How did the wealth of ranchers affect their conflict with homesteaders?

  Ranchers often had more money and power, making it difficult for homesteaders to fight back
• What did homesteaders do with public land under the Homestead Act?

  Turned it into private farms
• What accusation did ranchers make against homesteaders regarding cattle?

  That homesteaders were rustling, or stealing, free-roaming cattle
• How did homesteaders respond to ranchers' cattle damaging their crops?

  They complained about the damage
• What methods did ranchers use to make homestead claims on land with watering holes?

  They claimed land with watering holes to make surrounding land unattractive to homesteaders
• What was the legality of ranch hands making homestead claims and returning the land to ranch owners?

  This was strictly illegal under the Homestead Act but rarely prosecuted
• How did ranchers acquire land from railroad companies?

  By buying patches of land where railroads crossed, creating a checkerboard pattern
• What was the impact of ranchers buying land in a checkerboard pattern?

  It prevented homesteaders from using surrounding public land
• How did ranchers use the legal system against homesteaders?

  They took homesteaders to court, knowing the latter couldn't afford legal representation
• What illegal tactics did ranchers use to intimidate homesteaders?

  They threatened homesteaders with violence
• What actions did ranchers take to sabotage homesteaders' farms?

  They deliberately damaged homesteaders' crops
• What were the consequences for homesteaders accused of rustling cattle?

  They faced heavy punishments in cattle states
• How did ranchers vandalize homesteaders' property?

  By cutting barbed wire fences, allowing cattle to ruin crops
• What was the outcome of ranchers accusing homesteaders of rustling their cows?

  Homesteaders were often too poor to prove their innocence in court
• What were the competing priorities of ranchers and homesteaders on the Great Plains?

  • Ranchers needed large public grazing lands for cattle
  • Homesteaders aimed to establish private farms
  • Conflicts arose over land use and cattle management
• What were some dubious tactics used by ranchers against homesteaders?

  • Making homestead claims on land with watering holes
  • Using ranch hands to claim land illegally
  • Buying land in a checkerboard pattern from railroad companies
  • Threatening violence and damaging crops of homesteaders
• What was the significance of the 1892 Johnson County War?

  • A key example of rancher-homesteader conflict
  • Highlighted the power dynamics between wealthy ranchers and poor homesteaders
  • Demonstrated the lengths ranchers would go to maintain control
• How did the power dynamics change for ranchers and homesteaders over time?

  • Ranchers' power decreased as they fenced off land
  • The cattle industry faced decline after the Great Die-Up
  • Homesteaders gradually gained more opportunities