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Mining Frontier

Definition

The Mining Frontier refers to the westward movement in America during the mid-19th century where people migrated in search of mineral wealth.

Analogy

Imagine playing Minecraft; you're always moving forward (westward), digging deeper into unexplored territories (frontier) searching for precious resources (minerals). That's what happened during America's Mining Frontier era!

Related terms

Boomtowns: These were communities that experienced sudden growth in population due to mining.

Ghost Towns: These are abandoned towns that were once thriving when mining activities were at their peak but became deserted after resources depleted or proved unprofitable.

Prospecting: This is the first stage of any mining activity where individuals or companies search for mineral deposits.

"Mining Frontier" appears in:

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.