Question

To what extent did the environment of the West beyond the Mississippi shape the lives of those who lived and settled there? How important were other factors?

Answer 1

The environment of the West shaped the lives of those who lived there by making farming challenging and leading to other economic activities such as homesteading, railroads, cattle drives, and mining. Federal policies and the actions of ordinary families were also important factors in shaping life in the West.

Step-by-step explanation:

The environment of the West beyond the Mississippi had a significant impact on the lives of those who lived and settled there. The region's arid and dry conditions made farming and agriculture challenging, leading to a reliance on other economic activities such as homesteading, railroads, cattle drives, and mining. These economic activities shaped life in the West by providing employment opportunities, stimulating economic growth, and attracting settlers from different parts of the country.

Other factors that were important in shaping life in the West included federal policies and the actions of ordinary families. Federal policies, such as the Homestead Act of 1862, encouraged settlement by providing individuals with the opportunity to claim and cultivate land. The actions of ordinary families, who faced numerous challenges and hardships, played a crucial role in shaping the development and culture of the West.

Answer 2

Factors of environment makes people in west to settle and shape their lives at Mississippi:

The Western part of the river was filled with fertile pieces of land which attracted a lot of farmers and miners. They ended up settling along the banks of the river. Apart from fertile land the banks were also filled with minerals too.

After settling, the lives of the people changed drastically such that they were dependent on the river for their livelihood but the population was unevenly spread across the river too. This was followed by the development and expansion of railways which speed up the process.