Final answer:
Railroad companies encouraged settlement on the Great Plains by building railway tracks, providing transportation for settlers, and distributing land grants to private citizens. This facilitated the development of a nationwide transportation network and increased agricultural output.
Step-by-step explanation:
Railroad companies played a significant role in encouraging settlement on the Great Plains. By building railway tracks and connecting the East Coast to the West Coast, the railroad companies provided a means of transportation for settlers to move west more quickly. The Pacific Railway Act of 1862 commissioned the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads to build the first transcontinental railroad, which allowed for the movement of people and goods across the country.
Additionally, the railroad companies were provided with land grants and resources to facilitate the construction of the railroads. Through the distribution of publicly owned land to private citizens, settlers were given opportunities to claim and use the land for their own gain. This not only motivated farmers to move west but also helped increase agricultural output for the war effort.
Overall, the railroad companies' actions contributed to the development and expansion of settlement on the Great Plains, connecting the East Coast to the West Coast and providing a nationwide transportation network.