Railroad Developement

QUESTION: 

       The federal government gave land and made loans to the railroad companies. Why was the government so eager to promote the growth of railroads?

ANSWER:

      The United States during the late 19th century was eager to expand westward and to populate the new land with american citizens. The road to the west was not an easy one and it was difficult to transport people's lives to the new states. The government saw the railroad as a huge incentive to move to the west. It made traveling westward much more comfortable and manageable.

     The railroad also connected western communities to the east. Making it easier to transport livestock and other goods to big cities in the east. Before the railroads were built in the southwest, many cattle ranches had to drive there cattle to the nearest railroad which was for many of the southern most ranchers and cowboys was a very very long way. Americans were becoming very fond of beef therefore the demand was high and there was a  lot of money to be found in the cattle herding and raising business. The government supported this hole heartedly. It brought wealth to the west.