Final answer:
No, the western lands were not empty and free of all inhabitants by 1870. While there were still sparsely populated areas, many settlers had migrated westward due to various factors such as the Homestead Act and economic opportunities. The correct option is 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
No, by 1870 the western lands were not empty and free of all inhabitants. While there were still areas that were sparsely populated, there were many settlers who had migrated westward, particularly after the California Gold Rush of 1849 and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869.
The Homestead Act of 1862 also encouraged westward migration by offering 160 acres of free land to households willing to move west.
However, it is important to note that not all areas were evenly populated, and there were still large portions of the Great Plains and the mountain west that remained sparsely populated by Europeans at that time. The correct option is 2.