explain how the physical geography of minnesota impacted early native settlement and european exploration of the region

The first documented Europeans to set foot in Minnesota were French-Canadian voyageurs and fur traders who arrived as early as the 1600’s from the East. The geography of Minnesota created an ideal habitat for animals that produced high quality furs and was a primary reason that fur traders were willing to come from such long distances in these early years.

Explanation:

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.