economic factors Flashcards
(11 cards)
who monopolised the fur trade?
significance?
Astor’s American Fur Company
was one of the wealthiest businesses in the country
why did the fur trade die out?
significance?
fur went out of fashion
the fur trade did not have an impact on westward expansion for very long, trappers were still useful as they had knowledge of the west
what year was the California Gold Rush?
1848
how many people came to California after the discovery of gold?
significance
100,000
large amount of people
give an example of an abandoned mining town
Significance?
Bodie, California
miners and prospectors found the gold and moved on, not permanent settlers
give an example of a technological advancement in farming
significance?
John Deere’s steel plough
allowed successful farming in the west, enabling people to settle and work permanently
what was the increase of wheat production between 1865 and 1900?
significance?
from 1.2 billion litres to 7 billion litres
farming in the west clearly grew and was crucial in attracting people to settle in the west due to its success
how many cattle were free roaming in Texas?
significance?
5 million
large amount of cattle means there was lots of money to be made from them
what was the difference in value of cattle in the east and west?
significance?
worth 10x more in the east
massive profits to be made from buying in the west and selling in the east, but rail roads were the only way to make this profit
what was Chicago’s trademark?
significance?
it was a meat packing city
cattle had established a long term settlement with permanent business, but only possible through the rail roads
between 1885 and 1887, what percentage if cattle were killed due to sever winters?
significance?
90%
this would deter people from adopting cattle farming in the west as it is not reliable
