Title: Why did settlers move to the Great Plains? - eNotes.com
Headings: Western Expansion, Manifest Destiny, and the Mexican-American War
Western Expansion, Manifest Destiny, and the Mexican-American War
Why did settlers move to the Great Plains?
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How did settlers change the Great Plains?
What are some problems that farming on the Great Plains presented to settlers?
Why did people move to the West in the 1800s?
How did the environment of the Great Plains impact Indians' way of life?

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Land prices in the East were getting too expensive, and the West (Great Plains) offered an opportunity for more people to own land. Although the area suffered from extreme weather and poor soils, many people decided to take the risk and venture to the Great Plains. The government was also committed to supporting those who decided to make the move. Settlers from Europe seeking freedom also saw an opportunity in the move to the Great Plains. The move to the Great Plains presented an opportunity for European immigrants to escape poverty in their home countries. African American settlers also moved to the Great Plains to start their lives as free men. The cheap land accorded them an opportunity to own a factor of production that would go a long way in improving their economic status. American businessmen followed suit, attempting to tap into the emerging market. Their target was the farmers and everyone else moving to the Great Plains.