The Great American Desert (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
The Great American Desert
What was the Great American Desert?
In 1840, many white settlers and government officials believed that the Great Plains region of North America was an uninhabitable wasteland. This vast area, stretching from the Mississippi River westward, was commonly referred to as "The Great American Desert". The term reflected the widespread belief that this region was too harsh and hostile for farming or permanent settlement, making it seemingly impossible for Americans to cross and settle the western continent.
Despite its name, the "Great American Desert" was not actually a desert at all. It was a vast grassland region that Americans of the 1840s simply didn't understand how to farm or settle using their traditional eastern agricultural methods.
Early exploration and government attitudes
The negative perception of the Great Plains was significantly shaped by official government exploration. In 1819, Major Stephen H. Long was sent by the U.S. government to explore the lands west of the Mississippi River. His expedition's findings had a lasting impact on how Americans viewed the western territories.
Major Long's official report was so influential that it shaped American attitudes towards western expansion for decades. His authoritative assessment from a respected military explorer reinforced the idea that the Great Plains were indeed a barren desert unsuitable for American expansion.
Major Long's official report painted a bleak picture of the region. He concluded that "This region is almost wholly unfit for cultivation and farmers cannot hope to live on this land. Occasionally there are large areas of fertile land... but the greater part of the country... settling the country is impossible."
Geographic challenges facing settlers
The landscape of North America in 1840 presented several formidable obstacles that contributed to the "Great American Desert" perception. The region was characterised by vast grasslands that stretched between the established eastern states and the western territories, creating what appeared to be an enormous natural barrier.
Environmental conditions that deterred settlement
Until the 1840s, both the American government and citizens living east of the Appalachian Mountains believed the Great Plains were unsuitable for habitation due to several harsh environmental factors.
Water scarcity was perhaps the most significant challenge. The region lacked the abundant rivers and water sources that eastern settlers were accustomed to, making it difficult to sustain crops and livestock.
Extreme weather conditions made life particularly difficult. The area experienced scorching hot summer winds that could destroy crops and make outdoor work unbearable. During winter months, the region was hit by "Blue-Northers" - sudden, harsh winds that caused dramatic temperature drops and brought heavy snow and rain.
Blue-Northers were a particularly feared weather phenomenon on the Great Plains. These sudden cold fronts could drop temperatures by 50 degrees or more in just a few hours, catching travellers and settlers completely unprepared and sometimes proving fatal.
Agricultural challenges seemed insurmountable to farmers familiar with eastern growing conditions. The flat, seemingly featureless landscape appeared to lack the trees necessary for building materials and fuel. The soil, while actually quite fertile, looked barren to those unfamiliar with prairie grasslands.
Wildlife and pest problems added to the region's fearsome reputation. Dangerous wolves posed threats to both humans and livestock, while swarms of locusts could devastate entire crops, ruining any hope of successful farming.
The changing perception
Despite these initial negative assessments, the perception of the Great Plains as an uninhabitable desert would gradually change throughout the mid-19th century. As more explorers, traders, and eventually settlers ventured into the region, they began to discover that much of the land was actually fertile and suitable for agriculture, though it required different farming techniques than those used in the East.
Timeline of key events
- 1819: Major Stephen H. Long explores the Great Plains and declares the region unsuitable for settlement
- 1840: Peak period of the "Great American Desert" concept influencing American attitudes towards western expansion
- 1840s: Gradual shift in perception begins as more settlers venture west
Key Points to Remember:
- The "Great American Desert" was not actually a desert - it was how Americans in 1840 viewed the Great Plains region due to its challenging environment
- Major Stephen H. Long's 1819 expedition report was crucial in establishing the negative perception of the western territories as unsuitable for farming
- Environmental challenges including water scarcity, extreme weather, Blue-Northers, locusts, and dangerous wildlife contributed to the belief that the region was uninhabitable
- This perception created a significant psychological barrier to westward expansion in the early 1840s
- The concept would gradually change as Americans developed new farming techniques and better understood prairie environments