SAQs for APUSH Topic 6.2 — Westward Expansion (Economic Growth and Development)

Six questions designed to help students review for the annual exam and that relate to business, labor, and industry in the west between the end of the Civil War and the start of the Spanish American War.

1. Between 1865–1898, Americans moved westward. As they moved Westward, they built a transcontinental railroad, the building of which promoted economic growth and development. Name a community and center of commercial activity that either grew or developed as a result of the building of the transcontinental railroad.
2. Between 1865–1898, Americans moved westward. As they moved Westward, they discovered mineral resources, the discovery of which promoted economic growth and development. Name a community and center of commercial activity that either grew or developed as a result of the discovery of mineral resources.
3. Between 1865–1898, Americans moved westward. As they moved Westward, the government created certain policies, the creation of which promoted economic growth and development. The Homestead Act is evidence of a policy that promoted economic growth and development. Name a community and center of commercial activity that either grew or developed as a result of the Homestead Act.
4. Between 1865–1898, Americans moved westward. As they moved Westward, the government-subsidized transportation, the subsidizing of which helped open new markets in North America. Name a specific form of transportation that was subsidized by the government and that helped open new markets in North America.
5. Between 1865–1898, Americans moved westward. As they moved Westward, the government subsidies communication, the subsidizing of which helped open new markets in North America. Name a specific form of communication that was subsidized by the government and that helped open new markets in North America.
6. Between 1865–1898, Americans moved westward. As they moved westward, they made improvements in agricultural mechanization, the improvements of which helped agricultural production increase substantially and contributed to declines in food prices. Name a specific improvement in agricultural mechanization that helped agricultural production increase substantially and contributed to declines in food prices.