3.1 Mining, Railroads, and the Economy

What event sparked the western mining boom?

• Comstock Lode discovery

• California Gold Rush of 1849

• Alaska gold strikes

• Completion of the transcontinental railroad

Who claimed the land that led to the discovery of the Comstock Lode?

• Henry Comstock

• John Sutter

• Leland Stanford

• George Vanderbilt

What valuable mineral was found in the Comstock Lode?

• Gold

• Silver

• Copper

• Iron

What happened to many boomtowns after the gold and silver were depleted?

• They developed into major cities

• They were taken over by railroad companies

• They became mining corporations

• They became ghost towns

What environmental impact did mining towns have in the West?

• Creation of conservation areas

• Expansion of wetlands

• Destruction of forests

• Reduced air pollution

What was a common problem faced by foreign miners, especially Mexicans and Chinese?

• Lack of equipment

• Unfair treatment (Racism)

• Shortage of mining sites

• Lack of shelter

Why did most independent miners fail to become wealthy?

• They didn't find any valuable minerals

• Most valuable resources were deep underground, and they didn't have the funds to purchase the tools needed to extract the deep resources

• They couldn't transport their findings, so they had to leave them there at the site

• They lacked government subsidies

Who were vigilantes in mining towns?

• Government-appointed sheriffs

• Foreign miners defending their claims

• Self-appointed law enforcers

• Railroad workers patrolling the tracks

How did railroads impact the development of the West?

• By increasing food prices

• By slowing the mining boom

• By attracting settlers and businesses

• By preventing foreign miners from entering

Which two companies built the first transcontinental railroad?

• Pennsylvania Railroad and Central Pacific

• Great Northern and Union Pacific

• Northern Pacific and Central Pacific

• Union Pacific and Central Pacific