Transcontinental Railroad Dbq

174 Words1 Page

Railroads being built in the 1860’s were being used for a variety of reasons including moving western cattle to the east for the use of beef, to send and receive goods, and to enable communication with the east as well as others. Since railroads were now becoming more relevant the transcontinental railroad was conceived, spreading from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Therefore, The Pacific Railway Acts of 1862 and 1864 were coming into play. These laws enabled the federal government to grant land and loans for railway systems. Due to railroads being built, it affected the west by causing economic and population growth, which lead to more goods and land being sold which encouraged many settlers to move west leading to businesses growing and becoming

Show More
Related

  • The Effects of Technology, Government Policy, and Economic Conditions on American Agriculture During 1865-1900

    1014 Words  | 3 Pages

    Farmers began to cultivate vast areas of needed crops such as wheat, cotton, and even corn. Document D shows a picture of The Wheat Harvest in 1880, with men on earlier tractors and over 20-30 horses pulling the tractor along the long and wide fields of wheat. As farmers started to accumilate their goods, they needed to be able to transfer the goods across states, maybe from Illinios to Kansas, or Cheyenne to Ohmaha. Some farmers chose to use cattle trails to transport their goods. Document B demonstrates a good mapping of the major railroads in 1870 and 1890. Although cattle trails weren't used in 1890, this document shows the existent of several cattle trails leading into Chyenne, San Antonio, Kansas City and other towns nearby the named ones in 1870. So, farmers began to transport their goods by railroads, which were publically used in Germany by 1550 and migrated to the United States with the help of Colonel John Stevens in 1826. In 1890, railroads expanded not only from California, Nebraska, Utah, Wyoming and Nevada, but up along to Washington, Montana, Michigan, down to New Mexico and Arizona as well. Eastern States such as New Jersey, Tennesse, Virginia and many others were filled with existing railroads prior to 1870, as Colonel John Stevens started out his railroad revolutionzing movement in New Jersey in 1815.

    Read More

  • Transcontinental Railroad Research Paper

    1347 Words  | 3 Pages

    Cannons boomed simultaneously in New York and San Francisco at the same moment the golden spike was hammered into the ground, connecting the Central Pacific Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad companies at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869 (American 1). North America became the first continent to be connected by railroad from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast when the Transcontinental Railroad was finished (Gale 1). The railroad was an essential component of achieving manifest destiny. The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad spurred settlement in the American West, encouraged immigration, and began an economic boom in the United States.

    Read More

  • Changes in America's Agriculture From 1865-1900

    802 Words  | 2 Pages

    This had farmers in distress, for they were losing more money than they were making. Farmers’ incomes were low, and in order to make a profit on what they produced, they began to expand the regions in which they sold their products. This was facilitated through the railroads, by which through a series of grants from the government as contracted in the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862, were made possible; which latter lead to the boom of rail roads in 1868-1873.... ... middle of paper ...

    Read More

  • The Affect of Railroads on Chicago

    472 Words  | 1 Pages

    There is one reason Chicago is as big as it is today and that is the fact that it is the largest rail city in the world. The railroad made Chicago what it is today, and although the canal was very important in the history of Chicago the railroads importance out weighs it by far. The canal was important because it was the vision of the first settlers of Chicago to have an all water trade route that would go through Chicago. What those first explorers saw was a way to make a canal so that they could transport goods from the St Lawrence River all the way to the Gulf of Mexico with less cost and with more efficiency. The canal was the reason Chicago was settled in the first place if not for it there might very well not be a city called Chicago. You could argue that the canal was the most important thing in Chicago's history but I think the railroads were much more important. The railroads enabled Chicago to become one of the biggest cities in the world by bringing in different business and all types of goods. Chicago is a very key location to have a railroad-shipping hub. This is because it is centrally located in the United States so goods can be shipped in almost any direction and received in a shorter amount of time. William Butler Ogden was the one who pushed for Chicago to adopt a large rail system and he should be known as the one who made this city boom. St. Louis or another centrally located city could have very well adopted the rail system and they would have reaped all the benefits.

    Read More

  • Railroads and Their Rising Impact on the 19th Century American Society

    2238 Words  | 5 Pages

    The nineteenth century America was a period of history following a number of long lasting wars and also a whole new start to new changes in society. With the collapse of multiple nations that were in contact towards the United States, it paved the way for the growing influence and development for the United States, spurring military imperialism and conflicts, and advances in scientific exploration and technologies. Because of the ideas and resources that were began to spread, develop and flourish in areas of the western hemisphere, the nineteenth century also saw opportunities in construction, communication, and in particular the transportation systems. But as different aspects of society began to improve and that more and more freedom were in the hands of the citizens and government, the competitive market not only expanded in profit and wealth, but simultaneously faced minor conflicts due to the abuse of their rights and property. Because of the rise of new technological advancements and resources, railroads in the 19th century American society quickly boomed cities and came across as the most dominant source of transportation, as it predominantly played a role in the expansion of industry across the United States. Also, it was a movement most efficient in creating their own monopoly and was quickly adopted by many other countries that sought influence.

    Read More

  • First Transcontinental Railroad In California

    1833 Words  | 4 Pages

    The construction of railroads in California impacted the state physically, socially, and economically; and ultimately helped propel California into the state it is today. During a time when masses of people were migrating to California but were doing so in an inefficient, and sometimes dangerous way, the first transcontinental railroad provided a fast and easier alternative. During the 1850's and 60's California was booming as many people from across the country uprooted their lives and headed west to begin a new life and attempt to strike it rich. Covered wagons were not an ideal way of travel but were the only way to go until the railroads were constructed.

    Read More

  • The Legend Of The Underground Railroad Analysis

    1099 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Underground Railroad was an extremely complex organization whose mission was to free slaves from southern states in the mid-19th century. It was a collaborative organization comprised of white homeowners, freed blacks, captive slaves, or anyone else who would help. This vast network was fragile because it was entirely dependent on the absolute discretion of everyone involved. A slave was the legal property of his owner, so attempting escape or aiding a fugitive slave was illegal and dangerous, for both the slave and the abolitionist. In The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass understands that he can only reveal so many details about his escape from servitude, saying, “I deeply regret the necessity that impels

    Read More

  • Transcontinental Railroad Essay

    1297 Words  | 3 Pages

    Railroads first appeared around the 1830’s, and helped the ideas of Manifest Destiny and Westward expansion; however, these were weak and didn’t connect as far as people needed, thus causing them to be forced to take more dangerous routes. On January 17th, 1848, a proposal was sent to Congress by Asa Whitney to approve and provide federal funding...

    Read More

  • Transcontinental Railroad Thesis

    504 Words  | 2 Pages

    Because of the job opportunities in the West that were advertised throughout the World , many people who found themselves out of place after being freed, or having their livelihood freed, sought to take up shop and make their way to these new opportunities.

    Read More

  • Manifest Destiny: Western Expansion of America

    566 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many other farming machines were also developed during this time period, they all made farming in the west much more popular, easier, and profitable. The Trans-continental railroad was started in 1862, even though other trains were already running in different parts of the U.S. The telegraph also went up along with the railroads, although the first time it was used was in 1844. All four of these major technological advancements have helped the United States really get going on their Manifest Destiny. The economy would also blossom during this expansion.

    Read More

  • What Are The Effects Of The Homestead Act

    719 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Homestead Act of 1862 was signed into order by our late president Abraham Lincoln. The Homestead Act transferred over 200 million acres of public land into private land for purchase. Anybody who wanted to move west just had to file for land usually it was like 160 acres and after five years of living there it was theirs for free or after 6 months they could purchase it for a dollar and sixty two cents an acre. Settlers would set out in search of gold and land. The land wash harsh and much more suitable for raising cattle as compared to farming. The ability to easily afford and get land along with the introduction of the Transcontinental Railroad led to a boom in western expansion. The transcontinental Railroad made moving west easier, although

    Read More

  • The American Transcontinental Railroad

    3285 Words  | 7 Pages

    The transcontinental railroad would eventually become a symbol of much-needed unity, repairing the sectionalism that had once divided the nation during the Civil War. The construction of the transcontinental railroad was also an extension of the transportation revolution. Once commodities such as gold were found in the western half of America, many individuals decided to move themselves and their families out west in search of opportunity. Not only did the railroad help to transport people, but it also it allowed for goods to be delivered from companies in the east. In the end, the American transcontinental railroad created a national market, enabling mass production, and stimulated industry, while greatly impacting American society through stimulated immigration and urbanization.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Underground Railroad

    942 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Underground Railroad despite occurring centuries ago continues to be an “enduring and popular thread in the fabric of America’s national historical memory” as Bright puts it. Throughout history, thousands of slaves managed to escape the clutches of slavery by using a system meant to liberate. In Colson Whitehead’s novel, The Underground Railroad, he manages to blend slave narrative and history creating a book that goes beyond literary or historical fiction. Whitehead based his book off a question, “what if the Underground Railroad was a real railroad?” The story follows two runaway slaves, Cora and Caesar, who are pursued by the relentless slave catcher Ridgeway. Their journey on the railroad takes them to new and unfamiliar locations,

    Read More

  • The Benefits Of Manifest Destiny

    710 Words  | 2 Pages

    First, the westward migration during Manifest Destiny helped the U.S. to expand, along with improving transportational features. As eastern America became more crowded, the cheap land west made it easier for citizens to disperse across the country. The vast numbers of migrators called for better modes of transportation such as roads, ferries, and bridges. These allowed for a shorter trip west. Second, the building of the transcontinental railroad helped to develop America and its economy. Before the railroad was constructed, it took about one month to transport goods from New York to California; however, the trains allowed for the same distance travelled in one week.. Citizens also were given the opportunity to travel for cheaper with the new railroads; prices had dropped from $1,000 to $150. Today, the U.S. relies heavily on this as 40% of shipments come from either trains or trucks. Finally, the California Gold Rush contributed to the growth of the most populated state in America today. The discovery of gold in California was a reason for the transcontinental railroad to be built, which helped San Francisco develop, for the terminus was located there. The skyrocketing population led to a large increase in buildings such as stores, schools, and libraries. The quick development of California caused it to be granted statehood by 1850, two years after the discovery of gold there, which helped tie the west of the United States to the east. From the California Gold Rush to new forms of transportation, many new changes were made in the Unites

    Read More

  • The History of Railroads

    836 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first railroads were made in the 1550s, they first started off with wooden tracks with carts on them with a horse or horses pulling (About, inventors). They had the tracks because it was easier to move on the rails instead of the dirt roads. The railroads were called wagonways back in the 1550s (About, inventors). In 1776 the wooden rails were replaced by iron rails and the wooden wheels were replaced with iron wheels to make the railroad more smooth(About, inventors). In 1789 the iron wheels were replaced with flanged wheels, The flanged wheels were iron wheels that grip the track better (About.com,inventors). In 1800s the steam engine was invented for the railroad

    Read More

More about Transcontinental Railroad Dbq

Open Document