Ap us history question:
“although the economic growth of the united states between 1860 and 1900 has been attributed to a government policy of laissez-faire, it was in fact encouraged and sustained by direct government intervention.” assess the validity of this statement.

This statement is largely true if one takes into consideration the fact that the expansion during this time was almost all done after the Civil War, which caused the federal government to take hold of the entire economy through Reconstruction in the South.

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.