Transcontinental Railroad

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how the transcontinental railroad was a monumental achievement that closed the frontier and provided cross-country access for the first time in the United States. It forever changed the face of the American nation and economy. The paper begins by looking at the importance of the railroad and how the construction of the Pacific railroad in particular effected the life of early settlers. Financing of the railroad is also discussed, as well as a profile of the men who built it.
I. Introduction
II. The Importance of the Transcontinental Railroad
III. The Construction of the Pacific Railroad
IV. Financing the Railroad
V. Profiles of the Builders
VI. Summary

From the Paper:

"By the 1860s, the northern and eastern states had a railway system but the West was not as fortunate. With the discovery of gold, the acquisition of Mexican territories and the continued settlement of the West, it became apparent for the need to have a primary railway system.
The idea of building a railway to link the east and west was a daunting task but the nation had railroad fever in the 19th century and wanted to pursuit building a system across the wilderness. Once the project was begun, it took over 20,000 men, the majority who were European or Chinese immigrants, over six years. The cost in life and money has never been calculated but the final product was a railroad that would be the key to westward expansion."

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