The Transcontinental Railroad: How it Made America into One Nation
The transcontinental railroad changed the United States in the 1800’s in a way never seen before in America. Before the transcontinental railroad, the eastern states and the western states lacked a timely and reliable source of trade, travel, and communication. The nationwide railroad system connected the states in many new ways that helped shaped America into the nation it has now become. The transcontinental railroad improved transportation, commerce, expanded communication, and formed the United States into one nation. The transcontinental railroad improved transportation by increasing supply and demand, and connecting people in the United States. Before the railroad,
…show more content…
The telegraph was very important to the railroad and communication expansion, because it allowed railroads to safely schedule more trains. This expansion moved people and goods much more efficiently (Govinfo). In Rochester, New York, in 1851, the Western Union Telegraph Company made contracts with railroads everywhere that would expand communication all throughout the United States (Rails West). “Increasing traffic on a single track railroad lines required more efficient operation and flexibility.” The telegraph was used by the railroad dispatcher. It gave him the time of arrival and departure and it allowed him to communicate changes to scheduled meeting places when the train was late (Iptv). Railroads replaced stagecoaches because it was faster and more efficient. “The mail would be sorted and stacked at the post office and placed on the railroad to be delivered” (Iptv). Railroads in the 1800s ran the Pony Express out of business because the trains were able to move mail at faster rates and cheaper prices, than people riding horses were able to do. Companies in the United States could not expand if there was not a reliable source of
Completed in 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad opened new doors for the United States. In order for this to happen though, some had to be closed. Our country was in desperate need on some of these changes, but some we could have lived without. This great connection of the coasts brought with it many positive and negative effects on the Native Americans, society, and the environment.
American History Assignment #8 How Railroads Changed America How did railroads become key to the Industrial Revolution? – use specific examples Long range significance of the railroads The railroads became a major breakthrough for America during the Industrial Revolution, due to the fact the railroads could move large quantities of products more rapidly than boats and horses could during that time period. This was especially important for businesses, since they are and always will be about time and money. The railroads became one of the key elements in the national transportation network for people and products, since railroad tracks could be built almost anywhere and rapidly.
This number continued to increase. In 1900, there were more than 190,000 miles of railroad track. Railroads helped to transport goods from factory to consumer more efficiently, which decreased the cost of the product for the consumer. The availability of manufactured goods and food increased because the railroad provided quick transportation. Also, accessibility to railroads made receiving certain products you might not have
Railroads allow for the movement of goods and people conveniently and quickly with few delays as compared to other modes of transportation. Cars and planes did not exist in the late 19th century and trains were astronomically important for the success of cities in the United States. While other forms of transportation fill the void that existed in the past, the efficiency of those modes of transport will keep declining over time as more cars hit the road and planes take off. Trains can be indefinitely expanded since it does not have to share its space with other vehicles. Railroads have paved the way for industrial America and will continue to as long as people and goods need to be
The Transcontinental Railroad The completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad was an important event in the United States history. There were many challenges in building it, but after it was finished, it connected the East Coast of the United States to the West Coast. The railroad took three whole years to build, with the help of two railroad companies and thousands of other hired workers.
In 1870, the invention of the railroad made these trip attainable and the West accessible. Since the West was now more easily accessible, Americans were able to use the newly attained land to farm and transport goods back to the East. As a result, innovation and advances in farm equipment occurred, which boosted production. Therefore, the railroads changed how goods were transferred and made them more accessible to everyone.
It allowed for the transportation of larger quantities of goods over longer distance. Without the railroad the economy of the West would have had a very hard time expanding. Because of those things you can say that the railroad allowed the West
Transcontinental railroads played a key part in the country's economy like no other. It aided with the transportation of goods, increased communications, as well as connecting vast regions of the United States such as the East Coast to the Western frontier. The
The transcontinental railroad was constructed between the years of 1863 and 1869 (Terrell). It was also the first continuous railroad line across the United States that connected the eastern states to the western states (Transcontinental Railroad). The transcontinental railroad benefited three things: travel, trade, and communication (History.com Editors). The West would send crops and raw materials to the East on the railroad (Kiger). In return, the East sent manufactured goods to the West (Kiger).
The rail system allowed people and manufactured goods to be transported quickly and for long distances. This was significant for who had migrated due to the discovery of resources such as iron and gold (Railroads and Westward Expansion,
Along with this, the growth of the West positively impacted all parts of the United States. Through the Transcontinental Railroad, the West was able to spread the numbers of the East to even the US out and allowed the resources to spread easily. The expansion and growth of the Transcontinental Railroad were great for the entirety of the United States because it allowed resources to travel quickly, economic expansion, and discovery of a new land of resources. One benefit of the railroads was the speed of transportation. Whether that be
It changed the time it took to travel from the east coast to the west coast from a few months to a week. This transcontinental rail road brought a more civilized life to the west and helped the surge of immigrants heading west. This rail road also lead to a huge boom in agricultural trade from the national level all the way to the global
The Tremendous Impact of Railroads on America In the late 19th century, railroads propelled America into an era of unprecedented growth, prosperity, and convenient transportation. Prior to the building of the railroads, America lacked the proper and rapid transportation to make traveling across the country economical or practical. Lengthy travel was often cumbersome, costly, and dangerous.
The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 began on July 7, 1877 in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Workers became angry when the company had reduced their wages for the second time within the previous year. “The strikers refused to let the trains run until the most recent pay cut was returned to the employees” (“Great Railroad Strike of 1877”). The decrease in wages was a result of the economy’s recent downfall.
The building of roads, canals and railroads played a large role in the United States during the 1800s. They served the purpose of connecting towns and settlements so that goods could be transported quickly and more efficiently. These goods could be transported fast, cheap and in safe way through the Erie Canal that was built to connect the Great Lakes to New York. Railroads were important during Civil War as well, because it helped in the transportation of goods, supplies and weapons when necessary. These new forms of transportation shaped the United States into the place that it is today.