Why were the prairies and high plains west of the Mississippi River known as the "Great American Desert" by early Europeans immigrants to the U.S.?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Early European immigrants to the U.S. were accustomed to tree-covered landscapes with fertile soils. Therefore, they equated such landscapes with fertile soils, and since the prairies and high plains were primarily grasslands with few trees, they mistakenly believed the region to be a desert. Additionally, their soil and climate maps were not accurate, contributing to their misconception. There were also occasional droughts during that era, but it was not a continuous problem that turned the land into a desert. The sandy soil found in the prairies and high plains was not the primary reason for their designation as a "Great American Desert." Therefore, option D is the best choice.

Why Were the Prairies and High Plains West of the Mississippi