The years immediately following the construction of the transcontinental railroad were years of astounding growth for the United States. Between 1860 and 1890, the miles of railroad track interlacing the U.S. increased ninefold—from 30,000 miles to 270,000 miles, and the population leapt from 31,000,000 to over 76,000,000 people. Many were recent immigrants.
My folks came to the United States from Sweden in 1866; landed in New York, then came to Omaha. When they got to Omaha they had $5.00 in American money, no job, and couldn't speak a word of English….Then they both got work on the new Union Pacific railroad from Omaha to Laramie City. Father worked on the road and mother cooked and washed for twenty-two men, for nine months; when they got back to Omaha they had $900.00 saved up.
-"Mrs. Will H. Berger" November 21, 1938. Interviewer, Edna B Pearson, American Life Histories: Manuscripts from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1940
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
Based on the account of Mrs. Berger, how did the transcontinental railroads impact the West?
(1 point)
Responses
The railroads provided jobs for settlers.
The railroads provided jobs for settlers.
The railroads provided homes for employees.
The railroads provided homes for employees.
The railroads made Omaha an industrial center.
The railroads made Omaha an industrial center.
The railroads helped immigrants learn English
11 answers
(1 point)
Responses
to return the land that was taken away from the Native Americans
to return the land that was taken away from the Native Americans
to encourage Native Americans to adopt the ways of Americans
to encourage Native Americans to adopt the ways of Americans
to relocate all the Native Americans to one reservation in a western state
to relocate all the Native Americans to one reservation in a western state
to negotiate treaties to ensure peace in the west
Question
Use the image to answer the question.
Which innovation does the photograph illustrate?
(1 point)
Responses
labor strike
labor strike
power plant
power plant
Bessemer process
Bessemer process
assembly line
Ranchers employed cowhands to tend their cattle and drive herds to market. These hard workers rode alongside the huge herds in good and bad weather. They kept the cattle moving and rounded up strays. After the Civil War, veterans of the Confederate Army made up the majority of the cowhands who worked in Texas. However, it is estimated that nearly one in three cowhands was either Mexican American or African American. Some cowhands dreamed of setting aside enough money to start a herd of their own.
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
Why might recent events have led to many African Americans working for ranchers?
(1 point)
Responses
During the Civil War, many African Americans went west to work on railroads.
During the Civil War, many African Americans went west to work on railroads.
After the end of slavery, African Americans could move and find new work.
After the end of slavery, African Americans could move and find new work.
In the 1850s, many free African Americans from the north became ranchers.
In the 1850s, many free African Americans from the north became ranchers.
During Reconstruction, African American politicians promoted ranching.
During Reconstruction, African American politicians promoted ranching.
After the end of slavery, African Americans could move and find new work.
—"I Will Fight No More Forever": Chief Joseph
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
What event in the history of the West in the late 1800s prompted Chief Joseph to give this speech?
(1 point)
Responses
the expansion of buffalo hunting by American Indians like the Nez Percé
the expansion of buffalo hunting by American Indians like the Nez Percé
the death of Sitting Bull, an important Lakota leader
the death of Sitting Bull, an important Lakota leader
the defeat of American Indian peoples by United States troops
the defeat of American Indian peoples by United States troops
the Ghost Dance, a new American Indian religious ceremony