Question

In what way did railroads and advances in communication affect geographic patterns in the United States?
A) They stalled the need for new inventions
B) They assisted in maintaining cultural traditions in an area
C) They changed the physical characteristics of a region
D) They stalled migration

Answer 1

This is a tough one, but I'll go with C. Both aided in migration and opened up large areas to settlers and others. Railroads carved their way through mountains and the Great Plains, towns sprouted up along the way filling empty lands, farms spread out even further, new mines were opened up, and all of it was connected.

For why the others don't make much sense to me:

A) I don't think either one stalled the need for new inventions. If anything, both helped to spread ideas and contribute to the spirit of discovery.

B) This seems too limiting. Railroads and communications were able to spread ideas and people far beyond one area. They helped to break barriers. They also destroyed some traditions. The railroads, in particular, were traumatic to the Native American way of life.

D) Both helped to accelerate migration, especially for the land rush to the West.