Final answer:
A historian would use the passage to illustrate the impact of the Homestead Act on settlers, showcasing the incentives and conditions set by the federal government to encourage westward expansion and detailing the role of the government in constructing the transcontinental railroad.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage would most likely be used by a historian to illustrate the impact of the Homestead Act on settlers, as it details the provisions and incentives offered by the federal government to encourage westward expansion and prevent the spread of slavery in the newly settled territories. The Homestead Act provided settlers with 160 acres of federal land, on the condition that they reside on and improve the land through cultivation and construction. Additionally, the government's role in supporting the construction of the transcontinental railroad facilitated the westward migration by providing a means of transportation for people and goods. The Homestead Act and the support for railroads were among the actions taken to help Americans fulfill the goal of westward expansion.