When studying the calumet region of illinois and indiana alfred meyers noted four stages of development as new groups occupied this land in stage 2 farmers used the land primarily to grow food for their familes and their small communities

the first phase of the government’s plan for settlement was building the transcontinental railroad. the railroad provided a way to bring settlers and manufactured goods west and ship their agricultural and mining produce east. the transcontinental railroad was an essential artery for rapid development of the frontier.

the second phase of the government’s plan was a liberal land distribution policy that made it possible for many people to homestead. with these two key elements—transportation and cheap land—the government rapidly achieved its goal of persuading people to move west, settle on farms, and push back the frontier.

b. antarctica

explanation:

about 90% of the world's ice can be found on antarctica.