Q: The Gadsden Purchase enabled the United States to do which of the following?
A. Gain access to important natural resources in the Southwest
B. Increase crop production in the Southwest
C. Link to the Southwest by railway system
D. Provide better defenses against Mexico
Uhm they post a question but never respond back to get an answer ;-;
To determine the correct answer, we need to understand what the Gadsden Purchase was. The Gadsden Purchase refers to a treaty signed between the United States and Mexico in 1853, where the United States acquired a region of land in present-day Arizona and New Mexico.
Now, let's evaluate each option:
A. Gain access to important natural resources in the Southwest: The Gadsden Purchase did include land that had some natural resources, such as minerals, but this was not the main objective of the purchase. It was more focused on territorial expansion.
B. Increase crop production in the Southwest: The Gadsden Purchase did not directly contribute to increasing crop production in the Southwest. It was not primarily related to agricultural development.
C. Link to the Southwest by a railway system: This is the most accurate answer. The primary reason behind the Gadsden Purchase was to create a favorable route for a transcontinental railroad across the southern parts of the United States. This would link the Southeast to the Southwest, allowing for improved transportation and trade opportunities.
D. Provide better defenses against Mexico: While the Gadsden Purchase did establish a more defined border between the United States and Mexico, the main objectives were primarily about territorial expansion and economic benefits, rather than solely focused on defense against Mexico.
Considering the explanations above, the correct option is:
C. Link to the Southwest by a railway system.
This explains the Gadsden Purchase:
http://history.state.gov/milestones/1830-1860/gadsden-purchase