Consider this scenario: a major manufacturing firm wants to open in your rural town. your town currently has a population of fewer than five thousand people. much of its land is undeveloped and heavily forested. the firm has submitted a proposal to clear a three-mile tract of land on which to build the plant. the town council is considering the proposal and is concerned about the consequences of clearing so much forest land to make room for industry.
their concerns are likely to include all of the following except
increased biodiversity
soil erosion
increased pollution
water runoff

the first phase of the government’s plan for settlement was building the transcontinental railroad. the railroad provided a way to bring settlers and manufactured goods west and ship their agricultural and mining produce east. the transcontinental railroad was an essential artery for rapid development of the frontier.

the second phase of the government’s plan was a liberal land distribution policy that made it possible for many people to homestead. with these two key elements—transportation and cheap land—the government rapidly achieved its goal of persuading people to move west, settle on farms, and push back the frontier.

they were chasing the bread.