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Question 8 • United States History

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

Answer

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

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

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.

Explanation

The railroad crossed vast distances and rugged terrain, including the Sierra Nevada mountains, where workers had to cut tunnels through solid rock. Harsh weather and long winters also slowed construction, especially in mountainous areas. These obstacles best explain why building the transcontinental railroad took several years.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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