12. In 1862, the Homestead Act and the Pacific Railway Act were passed primarily to:

1. Achieve Northern victory in the Civil War
2. Develop the Midwest and western parts of the country
3. Improve the lives of freed slaves
4. Expand overseas markets to Asia and Europe



Answer :

Final answer:

The Homestead Act and the Pacific Railway Act were passed to develop the Midwest and western parts of the country.


Explanation:

The Homestead Act of 1862 and the Pacific Railway Act were passed primarily to develop the Midwest and western parts of the country. The Homestead Act encouraged Western migration by granting federal lands and required settlers to improve the land, while the Pacific Railway Act aimed to link the Midwest to the Pacific for trade and transportation through the construction of transcontinental railways.


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