HMH Homesteading Documentary

Why were the Great Plains once called the “Great American Desert”?

• Settlers discovered that the weather was warm throughout the year.

• Early explorers thought that the land was worthless because it had no trees.

• Settlers found that the land produced fewer crops than they needed

• Early explorers noticed that the area received a limited amount of rainfall each year.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Which sentence best summarizes the results of the Homestead Act?

• It encouraged people to get married and start families.

• It encouraged people to visit the United States and consider staying.

• It allowed people to move to the Midwest and the Pacific Coast.

• It allowed people to earn a living and help develop the young country.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.9

CCSS.RI.5.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

The video includes a picture of a large crowd at a train station. Which idea does this picture help explain?

• The Homestead Act made land open to everyone, not just the rich and powerful.

• The Homestead Act was supported by Abraham Lincoln, so many people wanted to thank him.

• After the Homestead Act, the plains became so crowded that people headed back east.

• Before the Homestead Act, many people were unhappy with how Congress planned to use the land.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.7

CCSS.RI.5.7

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.7

What was the primary reason people moved to the Great Plains?

• to teach people how to become homesteaders

• to escape the boredom of the city

• to get land free or at a greatly reduced cost

• to start new businesses

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

The video shows a globe that points out Ukraine and North Dakota. How does this picture add to viewers’ understanding of Joseph Marquart?

• It shows why he moved to the United States.

• It shows the excitement he felt about his journey.

• It shows how far he traveled to start a new life

• It shows what farming was like in Russia at the time

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.7

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RL.4.7

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.7