Final answer:
Many young men moved to the West during the Civil War to seek economic opportunities in gold mining and engage in profitable cattle ranching, both facilitated by legislative acts and the burgeoning railroad industry. The correct option is B. Seeking economic opportunities in gold mining
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Civil War, many young men moved to the West for several reasons, but of the options provided, seeking economic opportunities in gold mining (B) and engaging in cattle ranching (C) is the most historically accurate. The Homestead Act and the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 encouraged westward movement by offering land and the means to travel and transport goods.
Economic opportunities in gold mining attracted thousands, exemplified by the California Gold Rush. Moreover, cattle ranching became profitable due to the demand for meat in eastern markets and the use of railroads for transportation.
Similarly, the allure of striking it rich motivated others to risk what little they had in the West. While cattle ranching and mining were riskier than homesteading, they represented a way to achieve quick financial success, often resulting in many of these men eventually settling in the West.