Photo AI
Explain two of the following: - The importance of the expansion of the railroads for settlement in the West - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 3
Explain two of the following: - The importance of the expansion of the railroads for settlement in the West. - The importance of gold prospecting for conflict with ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain two of the following: - The importance of the expansion of the railroads for settlement in the West - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
The importance of the expansion of the railroads for settlement in the West.
Answer
The expansion of the railroads was crucial for settlement in the West for several reasons.
Firstly, it provided an essential transportation link between the eastern and western United States, greatly reducing travel time and cost for settlers. The First Transcontinental Railroad, funded by the Pacific Railroad Act, facilitated the movement of people and goods, making it easier for settlers to migrate westward. This accessibility increased the population in western territories, promoting the establishment of new towns and communities.
Secondly, the railroads stimulated economic growth in the West by encouraging agriculture and trade. Settlers could transport crops and livestock efficiently to markets, leading to the development of a robust agricultural economy. Furthermore, the government's support through land grants to railroad companies incentivized the expansion of rail lines, ensuring that more areas became accessible for settlement.
Step 2
The importance of gold prospecting for conflict with the Plains Indians.
Answer
Gold prospecting had significant implications for conflict with the Plains Indians, primarily due to the influx of settlers and miners into their lands.
The discovery of gold in the Black Hills led to a massive migration of settlers onto the lands traditionally occupied by the Plains Indians. This encroachment resulted in broken treaties, such as the Fort Laramie Treaty, heightening tensions.
Moreover, as miners sought to access gold deposits, they often disregarded the rights of Indigenous tribes, leading to confrontations and violent conflicts. The competition over land and resources inevitably escalated into significant struggles, such as the Red Cloud's War, as tribes defended their territory against settlers and the US military.