Chapter 14, sec.2, Critical Thinking

4.The federal government gave land and made loans to the railroad companies. Why was the government so eager to promote the growth of railroads?


The gave away great amounts of land and gave the railroad companies many loans. The government was so eager to promote the growth of the railroads because it was helping the nation as a whole. The railroads helped connect the US. It also made it so farmers and other people could now sell their products easier, and be able to reach more people more efficiently. Also the railroads gave more people job opportunities. Also along the railroads more people were settling, so the more railroads there where, the more settlements will occur.