The West 03/22/2011

8 Comments

 

 Respond for a homework pass/bonus points!!!
Use your initials ONLY!!!
Explain why the railroads are the key to understanding the development of the American West?
Respond with one answer... (explain...)

 

Comments

HG

03/22/2011 13:42

The railroads were the key to understanding the development of the American West because wherever the railroads went so did the people. So if the railroads were never built, there wouldn't have been an expansion/development of the American West.

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EF

03/22/2011 17:05

The railroads were a key to understanding the development of the West because the railroads were the cause of the development of the West.
Without the railroads, there would have never been the settlement in the West. Many people did travel to the West on horse and buggy etc. but without the railroads they would not have the necessary supplies to live. Also, without people settling down in the West, there would have not been any inventions or creations. Even though Native Americans were there, the settlers did contribute many things during this time period. (Ie. the shopping catalogue, barbed wire fencing). As HG said, where ever the railroads went, so did the people. The expansion of the railroads caused expansion of people across America. Now knowing this, we can now understand that the railroads were a vital part of understanding the development in the American West.

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Am.K

03/22/2011 17:49

Railroads were the key to understanding the development of the West. For example, railroads brought people which formed different settlements. Also, this was a main aspect of cattle ranching. Railroads were the destination for herding cattle for thousands of miles (long drive). This allowed ranchers to send cattle to the market. That opened trading, markets and settlements along the railroads. In addition, the railroads were often blocked by buffalo. Workers hunted buffalo to feed railroad workers, and to sell. Buffalo was main source of food for some people while living in the West. People who lived a Nomadic Life received their food by hunting buffalo. To conclude, the railroads were the key to understanding the development of the West.

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Ar.K

03/22/2011 18:37

The railroads are the key to understanding the development of the American West, because they linked what seemed as if an entire new world for Americans. The railroads were an updated version of what had happened in the past. It was an upgrade, from horses and cattle which will take a long time to travel from place to place, to railroads which was a lot easier and faster to transportation places. Not only that, but the railroads brought many people, like HG, EF, and AK had stated. HG, stated that wherever the railroads went, so did the people. This fact is true, and is the reason why for the many settlements of people during this time. Even though the people were a key to understanding the development of the American West, the railroads brought people from place to place. Without the railroads, the people would not have easily come west, and settled there. Who knows what would have happened if the people were not easily brought! Overall, the railroads are the key to understanding the development of the American West, for the fast transportation of groups of people, as well as its upgrade into the industry.

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ANM

03/22/2011 19:28

The railroads are the key to understanding the American West for they literally built the American West. If you learn in study how the railroads developed in the west, you will see that where ever the railroads went, people went. Often times the railroads would run through areas that were rich in natural resources such as cattle, gold, and silver. Even the movement of Native Americans was all caused by the railroads for they tried to wipe out the cattle of the plains so food supplies of the Native Americans would die out and eventually the Native Americans would die out. Also, as new settlers cam in, new land was needed in order to supply all of the pioneers who wanted land. The railroads ensured that there was land for them so they found other ways to get rid of the Native Americans. If it was not for the railroads, the American West would not be as we know it today.

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SK

03/23/2011 14:51

The railroads were key to understanding the development in the West. This is because as people who had reached the West in buggys, horses or boats needed suplies. Also, the goods found in the West needed a way to go somewhere where they could actually be shipped out and sold. So, when the railroad was built travling out into the West it made all this possible. Furthermore, wherever the railroad went people went, developing towns and stations where coal, gold, silver and other resources could be shipped out. The railroad was a key factor in sculping the West into a settled area of United States land. Without it the Native Americans would most likely be the only people living there. That is how the railrod was key in creating the modern West.

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L.L

03/23/2011 15:59

The railroads are a key part to understanding the delopment of the American West because it had been the first step towards new settlers in the West, or in other words; where the railroad goes the people go. For example without the railroad going towards the West people would not go out West, thus the American West would not be created. That is why the railroads are key to understanding the development of the American West.

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Jean-Michael Pion

04/09/2012 12:33

The railroads are key because they developed The West. Towns were built around the railroads, and the transcontinental railroad changed America. It caused The West to become very expanded. Boomtowns were discovered, and eventually The West was a gold mine. The railroads were very important to the developing of the west.

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