What is the central idea of this passage?

Where is us the passenge it’s not here to be seen to answer the question

What the affect had to the people’s hearts and minds

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.