In this paper I will explain how the railroads changed American society, politics, and its economy during this era. Secondly, I’ll talk about the 1896 election and how that impacted America and changed American Politics and elections form that point on. Lastly, I will identify the 4 themes of the Gilded Age and explain the causes of these themes and the consequences it had on American politics, economy, and its society. When railroads were invented in America, and first started being used commercially and for businesses, it was a major technological leap. They created a huge demand for goods.
In the United States today a person could board a non-stop flight in New York City and arrive in San Francisco in less than seven hours. American’s today are spoiled in many ways, especially when it comes to travel. Imagine, instead of taking a flight to San Francisco you would have to travel by horse and buggy for up to six months in order to make the same trip. From the horse and buggy, travel evolved in the 1800s to railway and trains, which severely reduced the travel time. The Transcontinental Railroad influenced the westward expansion and transformed travel and economics of the United States in the late 1800s.
During this time period there were great technological advancements. One of these advancements was railroads. Railroads were a positive change because it helped transport people and goods across the country. Businesses depended greatly upon transportation in order to transport their goods. Despite the positives of railroads, there were negatives.
Transcontinental Railroad Tera Richardson, 4336787 History 102 B008 Sum 17 Professor Traci Sumner American Military University July 22, 2017 Abstract The transcontinental railroad was one of the biggest advocates for the industrial economy and westward expansion. The railroads could transfer goods and people across the country with ease, and quickly. While some bad came from this miraculous progression, such as the panic of 1873 and a yellow fever epidemic, the good outweighed the bad as it enabled the United States to fulfill its Manifest Destiny through westward expansion.
The expansion of the railroads enhanced the lives of Americans in many ways, this includes supplying materials across the country. The railroads aloud for items to be moved across the country very fast. Although the expansion of railroads did enhance the lives of Americans, some building the railroads were not so lucky to see its benefits. Building the railroads came with many hazards from the climate to explosions. Not only was the railroad dangerous, it also caused other problems.
“The Underground Railroad wasn’t really a railroad, it was a way that slaves escaped from their owners. The Underground part of the name meant secret and railroad was the ways that people took to be free.” “What are slaves?” Tommy asked. “ And why did they want to escape?”
Traveling hundreds of thousands of miles through dangerous paths American pioneers took on hardships as they sought westward in hopes of a better life. The journey westward began in the early 1800s when the US exploded with new territory’s nearly tripling the US’s size. It all started in 1803 when the US bought the Louisiana Territory from France. Quickly, many farmers picked up their belongings and headed out west to the rich, fertile land for a fresh start. Next, Andrew Jackson invaded Florida claiming it for the US which was also another opportunity for settlers to begin a new life.
The Civil War The Civil War was the deadliest war in American history with over 600000 American deaths reported. This war was fought to keep the Confederate States from leaving the Union. The Union won because they had a telegraph system and had more resources. The effect of the Union victory has had a large impact on society.
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
The Transcontinental Railroad was essentially built to link our country as one. Being about 1,776 miles long, it was the first completed railroad to connect land stretching from Sacramento, California to Council Bluffs, Iowa. Many people were involved in the creating the railroad. The excitement of people as well as some concerns were expressed in the Primary Source Documents. The Chamber of Commerce of New York invited The Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco to a congratulatory party.
With the advent of the railroad, many of these issues disappeared. Railroads had a major impact on advancing the American economy, transforming America into a modern society, and improving an antiquated transportation system. The building of railroads created rapid economic growth in America. Railroad companies employed more than one million workers to build and maintain railroads. At the same time, coal, timber, and steel industries employed thousands of workers to provide the supplies necessary to build railroads (Chapter 12 Industrialization).
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.
America is a big superpower, a force to be reckoned with, and a corporate country. America is built upon freedom and money just like anywhere else. But with the way I think that were going, that’s the only thing America will be in the future. And the American dollar will be worth less and less, and the economy will crash more and more. Like I said earlier America is a corporate country based upon cash.
It seems that the last two years involved multiple collisions and accidents concerning rail transport and travel in the United States, including one collision which caused minor injury and discomfort to Republican politicians heading to a retreat. The most recent collision involved two freight trains which derailed in Georgetown, Kentucky. The collision injured four people, and the also ignited a fire that required nearby residents to evacuate. The collision occurred almost at midnight, and it was so worrisome that the Scott County Public School system opened its schools for emergency shelter use and even mobilized their fleet of buses to pick people up from nearby neighborhoods.
The Trans-Canada highway is one of the longest highways in the world officially opening on July 30th, 1962 and finally completed meeting its road requirements in 1971 classifying almost 13,000 km of road. The Canadian government invested more than a billion dollars for the construction not to mention the costs needed for repairs, a price I was unable to find an exact number for, but besides that, a question that goes around is whether or not the Trans Canada Highway money well spent or wasted? Well it is money well spent, as a long term investment by the government uniting our nation geographically{again} and symbolically as well as allowing people an easy way to travel long or short distances across the country and long and/or short distance transportation of goods by road. The Highway links Canada, creating a stronger unity between our provinces and territories, economically, socially and symbolically. The Trans CandaHighway is a title given to roads that match the given set requirements by the
