Railroads encouraged the growth of settlements in the west because they

Railroads encouraged settlement in the west because they opened up economic opportunities in the west. Through the railroad, products from west coast could be transported back to the East and vice-versa and thereby opening up the markets of the west and also Asia to the East.

To exploit the new business opportunities, people began to move and settle in the west.  Within 10 years of its completion, the railroad shipped $50 million worth of freight coast to coast every year. It ensured a production boom and was America's first technology corridor

the discoverers and explorers: 1. natives showed jedediah smith the way. 2. william sublette was the first cross it with a caravan. 3.joel walker and his family were the frist settlers to use it. the jumping off point: 1. founded in 1827 near where the missouri river flows into the mississippi. 2. by the 1840's, it was the most popular "jumping off" point for pioneers to stock their wagons with supplies. 3. missionaries from the church of jesus christ of latter day saints attempted to make independence their zion, or holy capital. the route west: 1. the first emigrants to oregon came by ship before the trail was established. 2. ships continued to to travel to oregon even after the overland migrations began, but they were not popular among the pioneers. 3. the fare for a sea journey to oregon was quite expensive--few pioneer families could afford it. i don't know the other three i'm sorry.

because it took place after the war of 1812 had come to an end.