Question

Which industry was most common in the western states in the 1800s

Answer 1

The whole XIX century is a long period of time, it would be easier to divide this answer into three periods.

During the first period, farming and hunting were the main industry, it was so isolated there wasn't much inside trade. The gold rush and the railroads changed that quickly, the first one moved a significant population to the West, the most common industry was now mining, it didn't last long, the "easy gold" wasn't as much and as attainable, but the increase in population and the improvement of communications with the arrival of telegraphy and railroads made internal trade, like saloons, inns and stores became the most common.

Answer 2

Answer:

Cattle raising and farming.

Explanation:

The main industry is cattle raising, specifically, livestock grazing and beef cattle. Because agriculture depends on many variables, like temperature, irrigation, rainfalls, elevation, soil, and so on. Even-though, farming activities were possible, like wheat and cotton for example.