Question

List and describe three specific ways that the American West benefitted from the Civil War after the Reconstruction?

Answer 1

Three particular means by which the American West benefited from the after effects of the Civil War are :-

• Native American Treaties
• Homestead Act
• Construction of the Transcontinental Railroad

Native American Treaties

Such treaties came into force from around 1774 to 1832. These were signed in between the native american indian nations and US. The treaty was mainly to define borders and to avoid attacking behavior of other parties. After 1832 to 1871, there were no such treaties, because these native american indian nations were declared as domestic tribes.Around 500 treaties were made like this. A mutual signature was made between the US and the native tribes. This should be approved by the US Congress. Non-tribals should mandatorily secure a passport for entering into the border as per the treaty. After the year 1871, these tribes were given recognition by the US government.

Homestead Act

A group of laws prevailing in US, where a person who is applying under any of these laws, was able to attain public land under the ownership of government is called The Homestead Acts. This public land is called homestead. It was signed by Sir Abraham Lincoln in the year 1862. This Act increases the migration of the western people by way of giving them around 160 acres of public land. Also, as a payback, these western people gave the government a minimal fee. These people should live in that land alloted for a period of five years and after that only, the ownership of the land will be given back to them solely.

Construction of the Transcontinental Railroad

The first transcontinental railroad was constructed in US in between the years 1863 and 1869. It was constructed for joining and making a connection between the east US and the west US. In the 19th century US, this was the major technological achievement. It was built by own hands of people, and not with the help of any equipment. This railroad permits very rural areas as well as areas not explored till date reachable to others, transportation improvements, migrating and settling in these areas etc.