Question

how did the discovery of gold and other minerals impact settlement of the frontier in the mid - 1800s? the discovery of gold and other minerals did not impact the population of the west. it slightly increased the population, as most gold - seekers left the west when they were unsuccessful in finding gold. it greatly increased the population, as thousands of gold - seekers traveled to the west and settled there. it slightly decreased the population, as thousands of settlers left the west in order to avoid disputes between gold - seekers

Explanation:

In the mid - 1800s, the discovery of gold and other minerals in the West led to a gold rush. Thousands of gold - seekers, known as forty - niners, traveled to the West in hopes of striking it rich. Many of them settled there, leading to a significant population increase.

Answer:

It greatly increased the population, as thousands of gold - seekers traveled to the West and settled there.