How did the Pacific Railway Act contribute to the railroad boom?

A) It provided for the construction of a transcontinental railway system

B) It provided free natural resources to the first company to complete the project

C) It forced immigrants to work for the railway for a certain period of time

D) It forced the free enterprise system by taking bids from railway companies for the project

The correct answer is A. The Pacific Railway Act contributed to the railroad boom by providing for the construction of a transcontinental railway system.

Explanation:

The Pacific Railway Act of 1862 was an act of Congress in favor of the construction of a transcontinental rail line in the United States, authorizing the issuance of government bonds and the granting of land for the benefit of railway companies. It was promoted by President Lincoln with the objective of connecting the Northeast with California, both areas of Republican and anti-slavery majorities.

The sanction of this law meant the allocation of economic resources and available land for the creation of this railway, of enormous economic and strategic importance, which was inaugurated in 1869.