Which is the best description of how climate impacted westward expansion?
A) As the region became more and more populated, the way of life of the Native Americans changed.
B) Trails through the mountains followed passes that were often impassible during spring rains and winter snows.
C) After the Civil War, the transcontinental railroad provided a way for those who had the means to travel to the West.
D) Travelers moving east past the Mississippi River had to cross not only the plains, but also deserts and the Rocky Mountains.
Which ONE of the choices has anything to do with climate?
To determine the best description of how climate impacted westward expansion, let's examine the options provided:
A) As the region became more and more populated, the way of life of the Native Americans changed.
This option mentions the impact of population growth on Native Americans but does not specifically address climate as a factor that impacted westward expansion.
B) Trails through the mountains followed passes that were often impassible during spring rains and winter snows.
This option suggests that the climate's impact on the accessibility of mountain passes affected westward expansion. It acknowledges the challenges faced during certain seasons due to rainfall and snowfall, which influenced the ability to travel through these areas.
C) After the Civil War, the transcontinental railroad provided a way for those who had the means to travel to the West.
This option focuses on the post-Civil War era and the impact of the transcontinental railroad. While the railroad facilitated travel to the West, it does not directly address the influence of climate on westward expansion.
D) Travelers moving east past the Mississippi River had to cross not only the plains but also deserts and the Rocky Mountains.
This option highlights the geographical obstacles faced by travelers, including the Plains, deserts, and the Rocky Mountains. These geographical features are directly influenced by climate, including aridity, temperature, and storms.
Considering the options provided, option D) best describes how climate impacted westward expansion. The need to cross both the plains and the Rocky Mountains suggests that climate conditions such as temperature, weather patterns, and terrain affected the movement and settlement of people during westward expansion.