Why did miners in the West create groups of vigilantes?

Question

(1 point)

to clear forests and prepare for mining
to take control of claims from businesses
to enforce laws and punish criminals
to replace independent contractors

Answer 1

Miners in the West created groups of vigilantes to enforce laws and punish criminals. These groups often formed in response to the lack of formal law enforcement in the rapidly growing mining towns, where disputes over claims and criminal activity were common.