6.2: Westward Expansion- Economic Development

What was the primary means of planting and harvesting crops during the period of westward expansion from 1877 to 1898?

• Mechanical reaper and combine harvester

• Water-powered machinery and windmills

• Hand tools and horse-drawn plows

• Human sweat and animal muscle

Answer explanation

During the westward expansion from 1877 to 1898, the primary means of planting and harvesting crops was the mechanical reaper and combine harvester, which increased efficiency and productivity.

What effect did the mechanization of agriculture have on the production of corn and wheat between 1870 and 1900?

• Production increased tenfold

• Production roughly doubled

• Production decreased

• Production remained the same

Answer explanation

The mechanization of agriculture between 1870 and 1900 led to a significant increase in the production of corn and wheat, roughly doubling the output.

What was the impact of the increasing obsolescence of small farmers during this period?

• They were able to compete with giant industrial farmers

• Their farms were bought out by the bigger farmers

• They received government subsidies to stay in business

• They formed a powerful union to protect their interests

Answer explanation

The increasing obsolescence of small farmers led to their farms being bought out by bigger farmers.

What was the purpose of the National Grange Movement organized in 1868?

• To establish a political party for farmers

• To advocate for the rights of railroad workers

• To bring isolated farmers together for socialization and education

• To promote industrialization in farming

Answer explanation

The purpose of the National Grange Movement organized in 1868 was to bring isolated farmers together for socialization and education.

What was the significance of the Commerce Act of 1886?

• It required farmers to sell their crops at reasonable prices

• It established a federal agency to regulate railroad rates

• It granted free land to potential migrants out west

• It provided financial assistance to struggling farmers

Answer explanation

The Commerce Act of 1886 granted free land to potential migrants out west.

What facilitated a mass migration of Americans for settlement in the western lands?

• The completion of transcontinental railroads

• The discovery of gold in California

• The expansion of the Homestead Act

• The invention of the mechanical reaper

Answer explanation

The completion of transcontinental railroads facilitated a mass migration of Americans for settlement in the western lands.

What was the condition for receiving 160 acres of free land under the Homestead Act of 1862?

• To build a railroad on the land

• To mine for precious metals on the land

• To farm and settle the land

• To establish a trading post on the land

Answer explanation

To receive 160 acres of free land under the Homestead Act of 1862, the condition was to farm and settle the land.

What led to the influx of over 100,000 migrants into the Kansas and Nebraska territories in 1869?

• The establishment of the National Grange Movement

• The passage of the Granger Laws

• The discovery of gold in the region

• The completion of the transcontinental railroad

Answer explanation

The influx of over 100,000 migrants into the Kansas and Nebraska territories in 1869 was primarily due to the discovery of gold in the region.

What was the result of the discovery of gold in the western regions during the period of westward expansion?

• The rapid growth of diverse boomtowns

• A decrease in diversity in the boomtowns

• An increase in the number of small-scale farmers

• The establishment of large industrial farms

Answer explanation

The discovery of gold in the western regions during westward expansion resulted in the rapid growth of diverse boomtowns.

What was the primary purpose of the Pacific Railroads Acts?

• To regulate railroad rates for carrying freight

• To grant huge swaths of land to railroad companies

• To provide financial assistance to struggling farmers

• To establish a federal agency to enforce railroad regulations

Answer explanation

The primary purpose of the Pacific Railroads Acts was to grant huge swaths of land to railroad companies.