I have this DBQ or essay ( i don't know what is called, anyways) it is due next week and I need for people to explain to me what they know about the following question:
To what extent did the natural enviroment shape the development of the West beyond the Mississsippi and the lives of those who lived and settles there? How important were other factors?
Oh! if you know of any website too, I'll appreciate it.
2007-01-29 11:21:27 · 4 answers · asked by ale mv 08 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
A few ideas:
First, there was the influence of travel routes. This impacted development in many ways, including the development of cities near rivers (especially near the merger of two rivers), the presence and/or absence of passes that allowed transit across mountain ranges, the general settlement of areas contiguous to travel routes such as rivers, and the development of industries that utilized the transport routes (for example, growth of trapping and logging enterprises along river routes).
Second, there was the development of businesses that utilized the natural resources found in the west. For example, the discovery of gold in California in 1849 lead to a mass migration of people to the West Coast (the "forty niners"). Also, the discovery of copper and other rare minerals in Colorado motivated people to develop that area with mines, railroads, etc.
Third, the presence of open, largely free, land that was available for crops and herds of domesticated animals drew many people who wanted to start from scratch. Contrast with Europe, where the land was limited and all owned by the wealthy elite. For example, the government's decision to coordinate the award of open unowned land to whoever showed up to claim and use it (known as "homesteaders") lead to the development of Oklahoma, Texas and other areas. h
2007-01-29 11:37:48 · answer #1 · answered by jack_98 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "natural" occurrence of gold drew settlers out west. They created towns, businesses, etc., which led to the development of the railroad....and so on.
2007-01-29 19:34:31 · answer #2 · answered by Laura C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well. the mountains wer rough to pass through..the plains are hot and flat and back then towns needed to be near water, so wherever rivers were, towns were.. thats all i can think of
2007-01-29 19:31:37 · answer #3 · answered by lil miss agony 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sry, I dunno
Good Luck, though!
2007-01-29 19:29:05 · answer #4 · answered by cheli 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋