Final answer:
The mining boom in the mid-1800s resulted in the growth of railroads as the newfound mineral wealth needed efficient transport, contributing to the transformation from individual to big business endeavors.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the mid-1800s, the discovery of gold in the western United States led to a mining boom, which resulted in the significant growth of railroads. The influx of miners and the need to transport vast mineral resources facilitated the expansion of the national transportation network. Consequently, the railroad industry experienced rapid development due to the increasing demand for an efficient means of moving goods and people across the country. This period saw the transition from individual 'get-rich-quick' efforts to more structured and substantial big business ventures towards the end of the 19th century as resources became scarcer.
The mining boom played a pivotal role in transforming the American West from a region characterized by individual opportunism to one where larger businesses established a permanent presence, creating thriving cities and changing the cultural landscape. Infrastructure investments by these businesses also propelled the shift toward more stable societal growth in the region. As a result, mining and cattle ranching were instrumental in shaping the American West's economy and societal structure during this era.