Westward Expansion and Economic Impact

The lecture covers Westward Expansion focusing on economic development. It discusses the impact of mechanization and railroads on agriculture, leading to increased production and lower food prices. Farmers formed cooperatives like the Grange and Farmer's Alliance to combat market challenges. Government subsidies facilitated transportation and communication expansion, opening new markets. Mineral discoveries spurred economic growth and settlement, despite conflicts with Native American treaties.

What was the primary focus of the first lecture on Westward Expansion?

• Social and cultural development

• Economic development

• Environmental impacts

• Political changes

How did the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad affect food prices?

• Caused food shortages

• Increased food prices

• Decreased food prices

• Had no effect on food prices

What was a significant challenge faced by farmers due to increased agricultural production?

• Declining crop prices

• Increased labor costs

• Shortage of land

• Lack of farming equipment

What was the purpose of the National Grange of Patrons of Husbandry?

• To support urban development

• To regulate international trade

• To protect farmers from railroads and middlemen

• To promote industrialization

Which Supreme Court case allowed the government to regulate railroad rates?

• Brown v. Board of Education

• Munn v. Illinois

• Plessy v. Ferguson

• Marbury v. Madison

What was a key demand of the Farmer's Alliance as stated in the Oklahoma Platform?

• Increase in import tariffs

• Expansion of urban areas

• Direct election of senators

• Abolition of railroads

How did government subsidies post-Civil War impact the transportation industry?

• Increased the cost of transportation

• Opened new markets and transformed industries

• Led to the decline of the telegraph

• Decreased the number of railroads

What was a significant outcome of the California Gold Rush?

• Booming population in the West

• Decline in population

• Decrease in gold prices

• End of mining activities

What was the impact of mineral discoveries on towns in the West?

• Led to the creation of ghost towns

• Increased agricultural production

• Decreased economic activity

• Reduced migration to the West

What was the legal outcome of the dispute over the Black Hills with the Sioux?

• The Sioux accepted the settlement

• The U.S. courts awarded monetary compensation

• The U.S. government upheld the original treaty

• The Sioux were granted full ownership