Final answer:
Americans sought wealth out West through gold mining, cattle ranching, farming, and fur trapping. Initially, individuals undertook these activities, but as resources dwindled, these efforts turned into large-scale business operations. These endeavors had a significant impact on the development and economy of the Western United States. So, the correct answer is option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four ways that Americans tried to become wealthy by heading out West were gold mining, cattle ranching, fur trapping, and farming. Gold mining and cattle ranching were particularly emblematic of the 'get rich quick' mindset, with many prospectors and ranchers heading West in search of fortune.
Both industries started out as individual endeavors but eventually transitioned to big business operations. Mining involved the extraction of valuable minerals from the earth, which initially could be done with simple panning methods but later required more substantial investment and technology.
Cattle ranching benefited from the railroads to ship meat to Eastern markets and involved cowboys and large cattle drives, yet over time gave way to the establishment of large-scale ranches.
Farming was another significant activity, with the Homestead Act encouraging the settlement and cultivation of vast tracts of land. However, fur trapping and farming were also important ways that settlers sought to make their living. Fur trapping involved trading in pelts with a high value during the period, while farming, despite its challenges and the hard life it entailed, held the promise of stable, if modest, prosperity through the establishment of homesteads.
These activities shaped the economy of the West, driving the settlement patterns and cultural development of the region. They also had profound effects on the indigenous populations and the environment, and over time, as resources became scarce or monopolized by larger enterprises, the nature of these industries transformed, making them less accessible for individual wealth seekers and more dominated by corporations and capitalist ventures.