Question

How did the federal government use land grants in the West in the 1860s?

The government gave land to the railroads to spur the development of a transcontinental railroad.
The government used land grants to relocate American Indians onto reservations.
The government slowed settlement of the West by withholding land grants until the Civil War was over.
The government offered land grants to free African Americans after the end of the Civil War.

Answer 1

Correct answer choice is :

A) The government gave land to the railroads to spur the development of a transcontinental railroad.

Step-by-step explanation:

To encourage the development of the railroad, the federal government passed the Pacific Railroad Act that granted land grants to railroads. The government gave public lands to railroad corporations in trade for building tracks in particular locations. Much of the growth can be associated with the building of the cross-country railroads. In 1862, Congress legislated the Pacific Railway Act, which approved the construction of a transcontinental railroad. The first such railroad was built on May 10, 1869.