This lesson covers the influence of the pacific railroad act and railways on development of the west, starting with the different views onto development of the plains between the north and the south, building of the transcontinental railroad, its significance on. During the civil war, an arrangement under the pacific railway act resulted in a publicprivate partnership in which two corporations would build the first transcontinental railroad on land. History westward expansion the first transcontinental railroad stretched from the east coast of the united states to the west coast. Transcontinental railroad, homestead act and womens.
Despite his many distractions related to the prosecution of the civil war, he managed in 1864 to push through congress. The original 1862 act s long title was an act to aid in the construction of a railroad and telegraph line from the missouri river to the pacific ocean, and to secure to the government the use of the same for postal, military, and other purposes. Transcontinental railroad and the american west duration. Civil rights act 1866 passed by congress over the veto of president andrew johnson. The crews were mostly composed of exsoldiers, former slaves, irish, and german immigrants. A railroad that would provide safe, reliable travel for all wanting to manifest their destiny. Building the first transcontinental railroad by david haward bain.
Includes information on building bridges, tunnels, and daily life for. A preliminary emancipation of the slaves was issued in 1862 in addition to the climax of the civil war as described in robert goldstons 1968 book negro. Along with the development of the atomic bomb, the digging of the panama canal, and landing the first men on the moon, the construction of a transcontinental railroad was one of the united states greatest technological achievements. It was based largely on a proposed bill originally reported six years earlier on august 16, 1856, to. Now customize the name of a clipboard to store your clips. However, the book appears to have been cobbled together as fast as the editors could do so. His book is rich with details although it also has a few editing lapses. What were the effects of the transcontinental railroad. Transcontinental railroad, homestead act and womens suffrage. Transcontinental railroad apush questions might cover the ways in which the government promoted the development of the railway, including the pacific railroad acts, the motivations for building the railway, and the cultural, economic, and political outcomes of its construction. They could now travel faster, safer, and cheaper by train. The homestead act another spike in westward migration came with the homestead act of 1862 and similar bills in the 1870s.
Heroism and the transcontinental railroad the atlas society. The pacific railroad act of 1862, signed by abraham lincoln, specified that the central pacific would begin laying tracks in sacramento, california, and work toward the californianevada boundary. Chinese workers and the transcontinental railroad boom. Railroads feel historic april volume decline in uneven fashion. The pony express traveled a similar route to the central route and helped to prove that the route was passable in winter. Called for the building of the transcontinental railroad to stretch across america connecting california and the rest of america.
But ni the south, the railroads were built northsouth. Transcontinental railroad article about transcontinental. This is an actual book, not the kindle edition, which is the only version that shows up in goodreads. A few years later the central pacific railroad with four major private investors and some funding from congress began the awesome task of. Railroads had already been built out past the mississippi river, so the jumping off point for the new road would be somewhere. Chinese railroad labor was a quantity measuring time in relation to price, and the price was lower than that of white labor. I like trains, i like history, particularly 19th century american history, so i figured i would give this a try.
The iron road this is the earlier and lesser of two pbs american experience films on the transcontinental railroad. No longer would people travel in long wagon trains that took months to reach california. The first transcontinental railroad in north america was built in the 1860s, linking the well developed railway network of the east coast with rapidly growing california. It is a good laymans guide to the building of the transcontinental railroad, which in fact was not a transcontinental railroad. Watch the transcontinental railroad american experience.
Dec 02, 2011 in union pacific country, by robert athearn 1971, it details how the transcontinental railroad helped people move to their new homes with the signing of the pacific railway act in 1862. The transcontinental railroad meet your next favorite book. A summary of the transcontinental railroad and the admission of western states in s westward expansion 18071912. It was 1,776 miles long and served for the atlantic and pacific coasts of the united states to be connected by rail for the first time in history. The act also called for the formation of the union pacific, which would start building at the mississippi river and continue west. The transcontinental railroad was completed in six years. Push factors from china included the chinese opium war from 1840 to. First transcontinental railroad project gutenberg self. By the time the civil war began, the westward expansion movement was in full swing. Railroad track had to be laid over 2,000 miles of rugged terrain, including mountains. Thousands of americans who had become accustomed to train travel in the eastern states could now journey behind an iron horse all the way to walt whitmans western sea. The transcontinental railroad and the admission of western. This would later give the union the ability to move goods around easily.
Pacific railway acts, 1862, 1864, two measures that provided federal subsidies in land and loans for the construction of a transcontinental railroad across the united states the first pacific railway act july 1, 1862 authorized the building of the railroad and granted rights of way to the union pacific to build westward from omaha, neb. Chinese immigration and the transcontinental railroad. The coming of the transcontinental railroad tcrr, the first communication revolution in the united states. It captures every aspect of the story in great depth including the tedious 1 inchper day a progress through the sierra nevada range and the incredible chinese laborer work force that accomplished the tunnels. Watch the transcontinental railroad american experience pbs.
The first transcontinental railroad was a 1,912mile 3,077 km continuous railroad line. The film provides a very slow and detailed narrative of events, and no single episode concisely captures the main themes that most teachers are looking to convey to their students. Kimberly weathers 26 june 2012 the impacts of the transcontinental railroad on may 10, 1869 as the last spike struck by leland stanford now connected the central pacific and union pacific railroads across the united states at promontory summit in the utah territory. Transcontinental railroad construction, competition.
In union pacific country, by robert athearn 1971, it details how the transcontinental railroad helped people move to their new homes with the signing of the pacific railway act in 1862. May 09, 2019 an early supporter of the transcontinental railroad was abraham lincoln. In addition to transporting western food crops and raw. The purpose of this was to deliver the raw material that the south produced to the mills up north. Jun 22, 2017 the transcontinental railroad was the nations first railway connecting the eastern rail lines to the west coast. Pacific railway acts, 1862, 1864, two measures that provided federal subsidies in land and loans for the construction of a transcontinental railroad across the united states. The transcontinental railroad was the nations first railway connecting the eastern rail lines to the west coast.
Chinese railroad labor was a quantity measuring time in relation to price. Transcontinental railroad documents national archives. It was here on may 10, 1869 that california governor stanford drove the golden spike or the last spike, that symbolized the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. On may 15, 1869, regular train service began on americas first transcontinental railroad. Such networks can be via the tracks of either a single railroad or over those owned or controlled by multiple railway companies along a continuous route. The transcontinental railroad was also called the pacific railroad and the overland route. Aug 29, 2000 subtitled incorrectly the men who built the transcontinental railroad 18631869, i knew i was taking a risk reading an ambrose book, but the subject was compelling to me.
Among the many positive effects of the transcontinental railroad are the following improvements. The sources used are books written by historians, quotes from important figures, and articles written in the time period. Pacific railway acts united states history britannica. Clipping is a handy way to collect important slides you want to go back to later. Kimberly weathers 26 june 2012 the impacts of the transcontinental railroad on may 10, 1869 as the last spike struck by leland stanford now connected the central pacific and union pacific railroads across the united states at. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. How did the transcontinental railroad affect the native. Negative and positive impact of the transcontinental railroad jeff neukirch history 101 american history to 1877 dr. The total length of the first transcontinental railroad was 1,776 miles.
The men who built the transcontinental railroad 18631869 written by stephen ambrose and empire express. The first transcontinental railroad primary source documents document 1. The two chief sources used were nothing like it in the world. Dec 21, 2009 transcontinental railroad and the american west duration.
According to the book, union pacific railroad, by historians joe welsh and kevin holland, an amended pacific railroad act of 1864 increased this figure to twenty alternate sections or around 12,000 acres for every mile completed. It competitively teamed with the newly created central pacific railroad company of california to lay down track from san francisco, california on the west end to omaha, nebraska on the east end. Transcontinental railroad apush questions might cover the ways in which the government promoted the development of the railway, including the pacific railroad acts, the motivations for building the railway, and the cultural, economic, and political. An act to aid in the construction of a railroad and telegraph line from the missouri river to the pacific ocean, and to secure to the government the use of the same for postal, military, and other purposes, national archives and records administration. I like trains, i like history, particularly 19th century american history, so i figured i. American experience transcontinental railroad is a meticulously researched and informative documentary, but it is not wellsuited for use in high schools.
These two railroad companies built the first transcontinental railroad, a railroad company that built 1,086 miles of railroad along a north central route westward from omaha and linked up with the central pacific, completed in 1869. As the transcontinental railroad began operation, changes came fast and furious in america. How was slavery impacted by the push for a transcontinental railroad. What the transcontinental railroad did was bring the west into the world, and the world. The main line was officially completed on may 10, 1869. Transcontinental railroad this pbs take on the transcontinental railroad brings ample detail and great archival material, along with the commentary of some of our best railroad historians. Hop aboard the canadian pacific railway and travel through its history from the steam. To reach the union pacific from chicago, travelers had their choice of two direct routes. It was 1,776 miles long and served for the atlantic and pacific coasts of the united states to be. Transcontinental railroad documents in the national archives, from the office of the secretary of interior, lands and railroads division. But what the heck, why let a few geographical facts stand in the way of a good story. The first pacific railway act july 1, 1862 authorized the building of the railroad and granted rights of way to the union pacific to build westward from omaha, neb. The first transcontinental railroad known originally as the pacific railroad and later as the overland route was a 1,907mile 3,069 km contiguous railroad line constructed between 1863 and 1869 across the western united states to connect the pacific coast at san francisco bay with the existing eastern u. It provides some good information on the building of the transcontinental railroad.
Chinese sojourn labor and the american transcontinental railroad. Though there was expansion in settled areas within the nation, the country itself seemed smaller as reaching the various locations became easier. Aug, 2017 this lesson covers the influence of the pacific railroad act and railways on development of the west, starting with the different views onto development of the plains between the north and the south, building of the transcontinental railroad, its significance on settlement of the west. The 1862 railroad act did not specify a starting point in the east.
The central pacific railroad and the union pacific railroad lines met at promontory summit, utah. Overview using a variety of maps, students assess the need for a transcontinental railroad in the 1860s. The people of british columbia agreed to join canada after prime. The first transcontinental railroad also called the great transcontinental railroad, known originally as the pacific railroad and later as the overland route was a 1,912mile 3,077 km continuous railroad line constructed between 1863 and 1869 that connected the existing eastern u. In 1862, the central pacific and the union pacific railroad companies began building a transcontinental railroad that would link the united states from east to west. Interesting facts about the first transcontinental railroad.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. While stephen ambroses book is the better known book, the empire express by david haward bain is in my opinion the definitive work. How the transcontinental railroad spurred relocation. When it was passed by congress in 1862, the pacific railway act permitted two companies to begin construction on the transcontinental railroad. Beginning on new years day, 1863, individuals could apply for a 160acre.
The second piece of legislation that officially commenced the construction of the transcontinental railroad was the pacific railway act, signed into law by president lincoln on july 1, 1862. The legislation president abraham lincoln signed two months earlier. Trade of goods and ideas was easier and faster between the atlantic and pacific coasts. The transcontinental at 150 the american spectator. The railroad act of 1862 as subsequently amended in 1864 and 1866 chartered the union pacific railroad company. Chinese american labor on the transcontinental railroad. A transcontinental railroad or transcontinental railway is a contiguous network railroad trackage that crosses a continental land mass with terminals at different oceans or continental borders. Nov 27, 2018 a railroad that would provide safe, reliable travel for all wanting to manifest their destiny. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of westward expansion 18071912 and what it means. An early supporter of the transcontinental railroad was abraham lincoln.
From the chamber of commerce of newyork to the chamber of commerce of san francisco, on the completion of the pacific. Beginning on new years day, 1863, individuals could apply for a. Facts, information and articles about transcontinental railroad, an event of westward expansion from the wild west. This railroad was the work of two railroad companies, the union pacific and the central pacific, which built their lines as fast as they could until they met in utah in 1869. Transcontinental railroad apush questions might cover the ways in which the government promoted the development of the railway, including the pacific railroad acts, the motivations for building the railway, and the cultural.
Transcontinental railroad the transcontinental railroad was a significant event in american history. Describes the building of the transcontinental railroad across the united states. Looking for a good book about the transcontinental railroad. In 1845, asa whitney presented to congress a plan for the federal government to subsidize the building of a railroad from the mississippi river to the pacific. An interesting thing about railroad development prior to the civil wa.
From 1849, when the department of the interior was established, the secretary of the interior had general supervisory control over the administration of the public domain. Lincoln signed the pacific railroad act of 1862 into law on july 1. List of books and articles about transcontinental railroad. The railroad schedules also helped to push the united states into changing. It was based largely on a proposed bill originally reported six years earlier on august 16, 1856, to the 34th congress by the select committee on the. Although americans had first started moving toward the pacific more than a decade earlier, making the journey to the west was still no simple task. Mark twain chronicled his experiences living and working out west in his book roughing it, published in 1872. The first transcontinental railroad was built crossing the western half of america and it was pieced together between 1863 and 1869. How did the transcontinental railroad affect the native americans. The roads rail terminus was moved two months later to the oakland long wharf. The pacific railway act can be found the united states statutes at large, volume 12, page 489 12 stat. Two railroad companies competed to build the transcontinental railroad pictures of the american westnational archives and record administrationalfred a. Includes information on building bridges, tunnels, and daily life for the chinese laborers and other men laying track. Although it was not possibleexcept in cases of special excursionsto board a.
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