What land was added to build a transcontinental railroad?The NortheastThe Gadsden PurchaseThe Louisiana TerritoryFlorida

U.S. Secretary of War Jefferson Davis had sent Gadsden to negotiate with Santa Anna for the land. Davis valued it, as others did, as the perfect tract for the construction of the southern transcontinental railroad. The railroad line would connect western territories to the east and north, greatly increasing the accessibility of these new lands.--"America's Story," Library of Congress, http://www.loc.gov (accessed November 12, 2009)According to the excerpt above, the Gadsden Purchase was intended to--Responsessupport settlement of U.S. territory gained through the U.S.-Mexican Warsupport settlement of U.S. territory gained through the U.S.-Mexican Warencouraged commerce among U.S. states formed from the Louisiana Purchaseencouraged commerce among U.S. states formed from the Louisiana Purchaseencourage the sale of U.S. government land in Floridaencourage the sale of U.S. government land in Floridaallow the United States and Mexico to share railroad construction costs

Explain how the idea of a transcontinental railroad led to bloodshed and a mini-war in the Kansas Territory during the 1850s?

Building the transcontinental railroad across the United States required vast amounts of manpower, resources, and planning. It is regarded as one of the greatest achievements in U.S. history. Its construction could be compared to the digging of the Panama Canal and the landing of men on the Moon. This railroad allowed the U.S. to grow more easily, in size and population, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. grew quickly during the middle of the 19th century. Much of this growth was east of the Mississippi River. Many politicians and businessmen from the U.S. wanted to push west and connect the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. At the time, the steam locomotive was the best choice for this task. However, laying railroad tracks was a time-consuming effort. The process included preparing the track ballast, or trackbed. This was a layer of crushed stone where the railroad ties and rails sat. The crushed stone allowed for better water drainage. It also prevented vegetation from growing around the track. The ties were wooden planks that rested on the trackbed. The rails were made of metal and were connected to each tie with metal spikes. This process made the transcontinental railroad a difficult operation. Construction began in 1863, during the Civil War. Two companies built the railroad. The Union Pacific Railroad Company began building west from Omaha, Nebraska, on relatively flat ground. This allowed Union Pacific to lay tracks at a faster rate. Union Pacific's competitor was the Central Pacific Railroad Company. Working east from Sacramento, California, Central Pacific had to construct a railway through the Sierra Nevada mountains. This became a great obstacle. Thousands of laborers worked each day at a slow pace through, around, and over the difficult mountainous landscape. As the years went by, more and more workers were hired to build the railroad as quickly as possible. In fact, many different immigrants contributed to building the railroad, including Chinese, Irish, and German workers. The two companies intended to connect their rails about halfway between the starting points. However, the U.S. Government promised benefits to the company that laid the most railway. This prompted fierce competition between the two companies. This competition became dangerous when the companies drew closer to one another in the late 1860s. Each company began to sabotage the other's work. They did this using dynamite and other methods to prevent the rival company from laying more rails. In the end, the two companies connected their rails. Meeting in 1869 at Promontory Summit, Utah, the final "Golden Spike" was hammered into the linked railroad. The completed transcontinental railroad allowed people and goods to travel across the United States in only a matter of days. 4 Based on the context of the passage, which of the following words would best replace the word obstacle? A. event B. hurdle C. race D. height

What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?*Louisianathirteen coloniesAlaskaPanama

11. Which opinion was expressed by those who opposed the expansion of the United States? aThe United States was too crowded.bThe United States bullied its weaker neighbors.cThe United States was less safe than it was before.dThe United States should return territories won in battle.Needs Answer12. What was gained through the Gadsden Purchase of 1853? aa good railroad route to Californiaba land grant to increase the size of Arizonacan end to illegal immigration to the United Statesdthe end of a long border dispute with MexicoNeeds Answer13. In which treaty did we acquire Sections 5 & 3? aGadsden PurchasebOregon TreatycTreaty of Gudalupe HidalgodLouisiana PurchaseNeeds Answer14. In which treaty did we acquire Section 4? aGadsden PurchasebOregon TreatycTreaty of Gudalupe HidalgodLouisiana Purchase