The Transcontinental Railroad Quiz

How did the Transcontinental Railroad impact the United States?

• It decreased trade with Asia.

• It led to the decline of the cattle industry.

• It made travel and shipping across the country faster and cheaper.

• It increased tensions between the North and the South.

How did the construction and completion of the Transcontinental Railroad contribute to the settlement of the West? Select all that apply

• By giving funds to local leaders to build schools

• By providing people with access to essential goods

• Government subsidies and land grants were given to Central and Pacific Railroad companies.

• Providing jobs to immigrants.

During the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, immigrants from China and Ireland helped build this massive transportation resource. Which ports did the Chinese enter from? Select two.

A belief in manifest destiny, the Mexican-American War and the completion of the Transcontinental railroad are most closely associated with the

• rise of big business

• growth of the labor movement

• abolitionist movement

• expansion and settlement of the West

What does the term "Manifest Destiny" mean?

• The belief in the inevitable expansion of the U.S. to the Pacific Ocean

• The destiny of Americans to travel westward for gold

• The fate of Native Americans as settlers moved west

• The American dream of owning land

What was one result of the Mexican-American War?

• The U.S. gained control of Texas

• The U.S. purchased Alaska

• The U.S. acquired territories including California and New Mexico

• The U.S. lost control of Florida

Which group was negatively impacted by the Homestead Act?

• European immigrants

• Eastern industrialists

• Native American tribes

• Southern plantation owners

Which innovation was most directly responsible for the expansion of the steel industry in the United States?

• The cotton gin

• The Bessemer process

• The steam engine

• The telegraph

What was one major consequence of the California Gold Rush?

• Decreased migration to the western territories

• Increased conflict with Native American tribes

• Strengthening of the Union's position in the Civil War

• Reduction in the demand for gold worldwide

The national government helped to finance transcontinental railroad construction in the late 19th century by providing railroad corporations with

• cash grants from new taxes

• land grants and loans

• cash grants from higher taxes

• reduced prices for iron and steel