Who were freedmen? * A. African Americans who were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation and needed help after the Civil War.
B. Thousands of white refugees that were poor and homeless after the Civil War.
C. Both of the above

The transcontinental railroad provided a means of fast transportation. it cut a 6 month trip into 6 days, created jobs for many people and encouraged immigration. the homestead act played a huge role in western expansion; it allowed settlers to begin a fresh start, and gave them land in exchange for their residence for up to five years and a small fee.