Lesson 1 Mining, Railroads, and the Economy

Why were big companies able to take over the majority of the mining operations in the West?

• They had the power to drive individual miners away.

• They could purchase the land on which the mines were located.

• They had the money to buy the expensive machinery to dig deeply underground.

• Miners wanted to work for guaranteed wages.

Why were laws passed to control railroads?

• Unfair practices were affecting consumers.

• The government wanted to take over the railroads.

• Too many people were being injured.

• The Panic of 1893 forced the government to regulate railroads.

Besides exploding tunnels through mountains, what else did the railroad companies do that

altered the environment?

• routed railroads around high mountains

• drained lakes

• cut through forests

• laid track over sand

What word is used to represent the width of a railroad track?

• gauge

• transcontinental railroad

• network

What was a discount offered by railroads to big customers?

• consolidation

• rebate

• subsidy

What did the railroad owners form to end competition, which enabled them to fix high prices?

• consolidate

• pool

• network

Before a national network of railroads could exist, it was essential to regulate ____.

• the price of tickets.

• the number of cars per train.

• the gauge of the tracks.

• the per-pound charge for freight.

What is a system of connected railroad lines?

• consolidate

• pool

• network

What is the name for a rich vein of gold or silver?

• lode

• vigilante

• lure

What was the widespread impact the Transcontinental Railroad had on the U.S.A.?

• It united the country politically.

• It allowed ranchers to get their herds to market.

• It made canals and shipping unnecessary.

• It led to economic and population growth in the West.