Economic Opportunities: The Great Plains offered abundant fertile land, which attracted both farmers looking to start their own farms, and commercial agricultural enterprises. Moreover, the region contained valuable resources, including minerals, timber, grazing lands, and furs.
Manifest Destiny: This popular belief prevalent at the time claimed that it was the God-given destiny of the US to expand its territory all the way to the Pacific Ocean. This ideology encouraged people to settle the Western frontier, as they felt it was their moral duty to do so.
Immigration: During this period, both the US and Canada experienced heavy immigration from Europe. Many immigrants were attracted to the Great Plains due to the opportunities for land ownership and economic prosperity it provided.
Security: Encouraging settlement in the region helped establish a presence and control over the land. This was considered necessary to protect against potential conflicts with indigenous tribes and competing nations.