AP U.S. History Flashcards: Westward Expansion: Economic Development
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 11 cards to help you master important concepts.
Government Subsidies (Post-Civil War)
Financial aid and land grants provided by the government after the Civil War to support the development of transportation and communication systems, which helped open new markets in North America.
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Government Subsidies (Post-Civil War)
Financial aid and land grants provided by the government after the Civil War to support the development of transportation and communication systems, which helped open new markets in North America.
What were two major economic challenges faced by farmers in the West that led them to organize?
Farmers faced increasing consolidation in agricultural markets, which lowered the prices they received, and a strong dependence on the railroad system for transportation.
What was the relationship between government transportation subsidies and the development of new markets?
Following the Civil War, government subsidies for transportation systems like railroads were crucial in helping to open up new markets for goods and settlement in North America.
How did the U.S. government facilitate economic growth in the West after the Civil War?
The government promoted economic growth by providing subsidies for transportation like transcontinental railroads and implementing policies that encouraged settlement and resource discovery.
Cooperative Organizations (Farmers')
Local and regional groups formed by farmers to respond to increasing consolidation in agricultural markets and their dependence on the railroad system.
What was a primary effect of improvements in agricultural mechanization from 1877 to 1898?
Mechanization led to a substantial increase in agricultural production, which in turn contributed to a decline in food prices.
What role did transcontinental railroads play in the economic development of the West?
Transcontinental railroads were essential for opening new markets in North America, promoting economic growth, and creating new communities and centers of commercial activity.
A farmer in the late 19th century is struggling with high shipping costs and low crop prices. According to the historical context, what action might he take in response?
He would likely join other farmers to create a local or regional cooperative organization to address their shared dependence on the railroad system and combat consolidation in agricultural markets.
What were three key factors that promoted economic growth and the creation of new communities in the West?
The three key factors were the building of transcontinental railroads, the discovery of mineral resources, and supportive government policies.
Explain the economic consequence for farmers that resulted from the mechanization of agriculture.
While mechanization helped farmers increase production substantially, this success contributed to a surplus of crops and subsequent declines in food prices, often hurting their overall profitability.
If a town was established in the West during the 1880s and quickly became a center of commercial activity, what were the likely drivers of its growth?
The town's growth was likely driven by its proximity to a new transcontinental railroad line or the recent discovery of valuable mineral resources in the area.