Which of the following statements best describes how railroad expansion affected the environment during the late 1800s? Western forests were cut down to build railroads and bridges Wild bison were allowed to roam near railroad tracks. Wild bison were domesticated to make room for railroads Eastem forests were cul down to build railroads and bridges

## Step 1<br />The question is asking about the impact of railroad expansion on the environment during the late 1800s. The options provided are:<br />- Western forests were cut down to build railroads and bridges<br />- Wild bison were allowed to roam near railroad tracks<br />- Wild bison were domesticated to make room for railroads<br />- Eastern forests were cut down to build railroads and bridges<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The first option, "Western forests were cut down to build railroads and bridges", is a well-documented fact. The construction of railroads required a large amount of timber, which led to the clearing of vast areas of forest.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The second option, "Wild bison were allowed to roam near railroad tracks", is not accurate. The expansion of railroads often led to the displacement of wildlife, not their preservation.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />The third option, "Wild bison were domesticated to make room for railroads", is also not accurate. There is no historical evidence to suggest that wild bison were domesticated for this purpose.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />The fourth option, "Eastern forests were cut down to build railroads and bridges", is not accurate. The expansion of railroads primarily occurred in the western part of the United States, not the eastern part.