Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 3: Later developments in the West, c1876–c1895 - 1 Changes in…
Full specification wording
Option P3: Key topic 3: Later developments in the West, c1876–c1895 - 1 Changes in farming, the cattle industry and settlement: Changes in farming: the impact of new technology and new farming methods.
Farming on the Great Plains was transformed by innovative technology and methods that overcame the harsh, arid environment.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Farming on the Great Plains was transformed by innovative technology and methods that overcame the harsh, arid environment. The invention of barbed wire by Joseph Glidden in 1874 allowed homesteaders to cheaply fence off crops, protecting them from roaming cattle and buffalo. The sulky plough, a strong riding plough, enabled farmers to break up the tough, deep-rooted prairie sod much more efficiently than older iron ploughs. Windmills were developed to pump water from deep underground aquifers, solving the severe surface water shortage. Furthermore, new farming methods like dry farming—ploughing after rain to trap moisture in the soil—and the introduction of hardy Russian winter wheat allowed crops to thrive despite the low rainfall.
What earns the marks
- Explain how barbed wire solved the problem of a lack of timber for fencing and protected crops from livestock.
- Describe the role of the sulky plough (sodbuster) in breaking through the tough prairie grass roots to access fertile soil.
- Analyse the importance of wind-powered water pumps in providing a reliable water supply for crops and livestock in an arid landscape.
- Detail the method of dry farming and the introduction of Turkey Red wheat as solutions to the low rainfall on the Plains.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming that barbed wire was used to keep cattle in; it was primarily used by homesteaders to keep free-roaming cattle out of their crops.
Stating that windmills generated electricity.
Put it right: In this period, windmills were used mechanically to pump water from deep wells.
Confusing dry farming with irrigation.
Put it right: Dry farming involved trapping existing soil moisture through specific ploughing techniques, not bringing in water from elsewhere.
Exam tips
- Always link a specific piece of technology to the specific environmental problem it solved (e.g., windmills solved the lack of surface water).
- Use the introduction of Russian winter wheat as a prime example of how adapting farming methods to the environment was crucial for survival.
- Discuss how these technological advancements accelerated the settlement of the Plains by making homesteading a viable, profitable enterprise.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option P3: Key topic 3: Later developments in the West, c1876–c1895 - 1 Changes in farming, the cattle industry and settlement: Changes in farming: the impact of new technology and new farming methods. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which new technology, patented by Joseph Glidden in 1874, allowed farmers on the Plains to cheaply fence off their crops from roaming cattle?
Listen
Farming on the Great Plains was transformed by innovative technology and methods that overcame the harsh, arid environment. The invention of barbed wire by Joseph Glidden in 1874 allowed homesteaders to cheaply fence off crops, protecting them from roaming cattle and buffalo. The sulky plough, a strong riding plough, enabled farmers to break up the tough, deep-rooted prairie sod much more efficiently than older iron ploughs. Windmills were developed to pump water from deep underground aquifers, solving the severe surface water shortage. Furthermore, new farming methods like dry farming—ploughing after rain to trap moisture in the soil—and the introduction of hardy Russian winter wheat allowed crops to thrive despite the low rainfall. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain how barbed wire solved the problem of a lack of timber for fencing and protected crops from livestock. Describe the role of the sulky plough (sodbuster) in breaking through the tough prairie grass roots to access fertile soil. Analyse the importance of wind-powered water pumps in providing a reliable water supply for crops and livestock in an arid landscape. Detail the method of dry farming and the introduction of Turkey Red wheat as solutions to the low rainfall on the Plains. Exam tip: Always link a specific piece of technology to the specific environmental problem it solved (e.g., windmills solved the lack of surface water).
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Technological Innovation
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Environmental Adaptation
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Settlement
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Agricultural Development
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See every definition
- Technological Innovation
- New technology and new farming methods that transformed farming on the Great Plains by overcoming the harsh, arid environment.
- Environmental Adaptation
- Adapting farming methods to the environment, such as dry farming and hardy Russian winter wheat, so crops could thrive despite the low rainfall.
- Settlement
- The settlement of the Plains was accelerated by technological advancements that made homesteading a viable, profitable enterprise.
- Agricultural Development
- Changes in farming brought about by innovative technology and methods, including barbed wire, the sulky plough, windmills, dry farming and Russian winter wheat.
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