Expansion and Indigenous Peoples — Unit test

Question 11 • *BCHS KY-U.S. History A

Which statement best explains why the transcontinental railroad took several years to build?

Answer

Digging through the mountains was very difficult, and the long winters hampered workers’ ability to make progress.

Several Civil War battles took place where the railroad was being built, so workers had to wait for the land to be clear and safe.

A divided Congress continued fighting over funding for the railroad, leading to work stoppages every few months.

American Indians engaged in frequent clashes with rail workers, so work stopped while safety measures were adopted.

Explanation

Building the railroad across the West meant cutting through rugged mountain ranges, a difficult and time-consuming task. Harsh winters also limited how much work crews could do. Together, these challenges best explain why construction took several years; the Civil War and funding disputes were not the main reasons for the delay.

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