Which of the following was an effect of the discovery of gold and silver on western development?
(1 point)
Responses
It caused a sharp decrease in the population of eastern cities.
It caused a sharp decrease in the population of eastern cities.
There was no longer a need for the railroad.
There was no longer a need for the railroad.
The value of gold and silver decreased.
The value of gold and silver decreased.
It contributed to the opening of the western frontier.
It contributed to the opening of the western frontier.
The correct answer is: It contributed to the opening of the western frontier.
The correct answer is: It contributed to the opening of the western frontier.
To arrive at this answer, we need to examine the effects of the discovery of gold and silver on western development.
When gold and silver were discovered in the west, it sparked a significant influx of settlers, which in turn led to the opening of the western frontier. This development was fueled by the mass migration of people seeking economic opportunities in the form of mining and other related industries.
To find this answer, you could have eliminated the first two options since they state a "sharp decrease in the population of eastern cities," which is not directly connected to the discovery of gold and silver in the west. The third option, "the value of gold and silver decreased," is also incorrect as the discovery of gold and silver typically leads to an increase in their value due to scarcity.
By process of elimination, the correct answer is "It contributed to the opening of the western frontier," as it captures the direct effect of the gold and silver discovery on the development of the western regions.