Impact of the Transcontinental Railroad

The video discusses the factors that attracted people to the American West, including the availability of cheap land through the Homestead Act, educational opportunities via the Morrill Act, and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. It also covers the impact of gold and silver discoveries on migration and the eventual closing of the frontier, as described by Frederick Jackson Turner.

What was the main purpose of the Homestead Act of 1862?

• To allow people to acquire land by farming it for five years

• To provide free education to settlers

• To encourage industrial development in the West

• To establish new cities in the West

Who could take advantage of the Homestead Act?

• Only wealthy landowners

• Anyone over 21 or head of a household

• Only immigrants

• Only U.S. citizens

What was the purpose of the Morrill Land-Grant Act?

• To establish agricultural and mechanical colleges

• To fund the construction of railroads

• To provide free land to settlers

• To promote mining activities

How did the Transcontinental Railroad impact the West?

• It increased the cost of moving goods

• It discouraged immigration to the West

• It made travel to the West more difficult

• It facilitated the growth of national companies

Which two companies were involved in building the Transcontinental Railroad?

• Eastern Railway and Western Railway

• Atlantic Railroad and Pacific Railroad

• Northern Pacific and Southern Pacific

• Central Pacific and Union Pacific

What role did immigrants play in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad?

• They opposed its construction

• They designed the railroad

• They funded the construction

• They were the primary labor force

What event led to the first wave of miners moving to California?

• The passing of the Homestead Act

• The discovery of silver in Nevada

• The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad

• The discovery of gold at Sutter Mill

What was the Comstock Lode known for?

• Producing large amounts of gold

• Being the first mining town

• Being the largest railroad company

• Producing an estimated $50 million of silver

What was the significance of the frontier according to Frederick Jackson Turner?

• It was an obstacle to industrialization

• It symbolized American resilience and greatness

• It was a source of conflict with Native Americans

• It was a barrier to American progress

By what year did the U.S. Census declare there was no more frontier?

• 1862

• 1849

• 1900

• 1890