How did the concept of the 'Great American Desert' influence perceptions and settlement of the West?

The term 'Great American Desert' was initially used to describe the vast arid and semi-arid regions of the American West. Early explorers and settlers believed these areas to be inhospitable and unsuitable for farming. However, as pioneers ventured westward, irrigation and other farming methods were developed to cultivate these lands. Over time, the perception changed, and what was once deemed a 'desert' became valuable agricultural land.