What helped expand the system of roads and highways in Texas in the 1920s?

• a gas tax
• a new form of asphalt
• county government control
• federal matching funds

federal matching funds

In order to determine what helped expand the system of roads and highways in Texas in the 1920s, we can examine each option and assess its relevance to the situation.

1. Gas Tax: A gas tax refers to a tax imposed on the sale of gasoline. While a gas tax can potentially generate revenue that could be used for road infrastructure projects, it does not directly address the expansion of roads and highways. Therefore, although it may have contributed indirectly, it is not the most decisive factor in this context.

2. New Form of Asphalt: The development of a new form of asphalt could potentially have a positive impact on road construction and maintenance. However, it is important to note that the expansion of a road system involves several factors beyond just the material used for construction. Hence, while a new form of asphalt might have had some influence, it is not the primary reason for the expansion of roads and highways.

3. County Government Control: County government control refers to the responsibility and authority of local county governments regarding road construction and maintenance. While county government control can play a role in road expansion at a local level, it does not address the broader state-level expansion. Therefore, it is unlikely to be the main driving force behind the expansion of roads and highways in Texas in the 1920s.

4. Federal Matching Funds: Federal matching funds refer to financial assistance provided by the federal government to match the funds contributed by state or local governments for specific projects. In the context of road and highway expansion, federal matching funds could have played a significant role by providing the necessary financial support. Therefore, federal matching funds are the most likely factor that helped expand the system of roads and highways in Texas in the 1920s.

Considering these options, the correct answer is: Federal matching funds

What helped expand the system of roads and highways in Texas in the 1920s was:

1. A gas tax: The implementation of a gas tax helped generate revenue specifically for the construction and maintenance of roads and highways. This tax on gasoline sales provided a reliable source of funding for infrastructure projects.

2. Federal matching funds: The federal government also played a significant role in expanding the road network in Texas during this time. The Federal Aid Road Act of 1916 provided matching funds to states for road construction. This incentivized the state to invest in infrastructure projects by offering federal money to match state funds.

These two factors, the gas tax and federal matching funds, worked together to fund and support the expansion of the road and highway system in Texas during the 1920s.