Final answer:
The topic of the question is '3. Taming the West,' which encapsulates the era of Western expansion in U.S. history, focusing on homesteaders, railroads, cattle drives, and mining, as well as the creation of the mythic West and its consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The topic of the question is most closely related to option 3) Taming the West. This reflects the historical period of westward expansion, the homesteading movement, the impact on Native American communities, and the mythic vision of the Old West. The homesteaders, railroads, cattle drives, and mining activities were crucial economic engines that shaped the development of the Western United States. Each of these elements contributed to the transformation of the West from a perceived 'uncivilized' territory to a settled and economically integrated region of the country.
Homesteaders, by claiming land and establishing farms under the Homestead Act, anchored the expansion of settlements. Railroads facilitated rapid movement of goods and people, binding the West to the rest of the country and sparking economic growth. Cattle drives became an emblem of the Western economy, depicting the movement of cattle from the open ranges of the West to markets in the East. Mining attracted a surge of population to areas where precious metals were discovered, instigating boomtowns that sometimes matured into stable communities.
While the mythic West often romanticized cowboys and lawlessness, in reality, federal policies and the labor of ordinary families played a significant role in the West's development. The creation of this myth obscured the historical experiences of many, including the federal government's treatment of Native Americans and the challenges faced by homesteaders. Additionally, suffrage movements in the West indicated progressive attitudes towards women's roles during that period, often more so than in other regions.