ipl-logo

Discuss The Effects Of The Transcontinental Railroad

849 Words4 Pages

The topic that I chose to do is the Industrial Revolution and the Effects of the Transcontinental Railroad. The rise of the Industrial Revolution and the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad took place during the period from 1877 to 1900. They occurred as a result of the discovery of natural resources on American land and the government’s encouragement of the growth of businesses. In 1859, Edwin Drake was able to use a steam engine to drill for oil in Pennsylvania, making the mining of oil practical enough for several other states began the process. With the new abundance amount of oil, refining industries arose to turn oil into kerosene and gasoline, which in turn could be used to fuel the machines essential to the Industrial Revolution. …show more content…

To further increase their profits, both railroad companies founded secondary supplementary companies. For example, the founder of the Union Pacific Railroad created the Crédit Mobilizer of America construction company that helped finance the building of the railroad. The Union Pacific Railroad also established a land development company that got Europeans to migrate to farms on the prairie. These people gave the railroad company a market for the 38,000 square miles of land that the government gave them and the new farms provided the railroad with business from the hauling of produce, supplies, and people. The Southern Pacific Railroad went further than the Union Pacific Railroad in the extent that they would go to increase their wealth by founding the Charles Crocker and Company and building the railroad that went to it and establishing a monopoly over transportation in California. Yet even though Union Pacific began with more government subsidizes, their more subtle business plan prevented them from accumulating wealth as quickly as Central Pacific, but allowed them to stay and business and eventually buy Central Pacific …show more content…

Many of these Americans became farmers anticipating the high profit from the rising value of land and crops. So, during boom times, farmers rushed into debt to get more land and better farm equipment. They were excited about cash crops, land speculation, borrowed money, and new technology. Though, these individuals were at a disadvantage dealing with the large companies that arranged their credit, supplied them with machinery, and marketed their products. So, farmers tried cooperation where agrarian parties made Granger laws to regulate grain elevators, fix the maximum railroad rates, and prohibit the discrimination of small and short hauled shippers. The farmers’ success was very dependent on farm prices and other factors so the west was not as profitable as it originally seemed. (why did enthusiasm lead to the deflation of the economy that took place during the 1880s and harsh times for those

Show More
Related

  • 19th Century American Farmers Dbq

    634 Words  | 3 Pages

    Farmers of the late 19th century faced several struggles as they attempted to feed themselves and a growing nation. Though they were undeniably crucial to the country, the country often abandoned them to fend against their problems themselves. These desertments lead to the creation of several movements, such as The Grange, and of political parties such as the Populists. The challenges of American farmers were often intertwined and difficult to get to one cause of the problem. Increasing railroad use and inflated prices hurt the farmers tremendously, which then lead to widespread debt and the cry for silver to be used in the money standard, which then resulted in overproduction of goods to try to overcompensate for the burgeoning debt, but only made it worse.

    Read More

  • Downward Migration DBQ

    1104 Words  | 5 Pages

    This is demonstrated in the formation of the National Grange Movement, an organization that was important in the economics and politics of frontier life. As westerners began to unite with one another and take collective action, it was clear that farmers were dedicated in their pursuit of changing the pro-corporation system that existed in the West. In a testimony at the Chicago Conference of Trusts, Aaron Jones, head of the Grangers, said that, “Every citizen of this Republic should be free to use his labor as will best contribute to his benefit of happiness,” (Doc C). It’s clear that farmers and westerners were not only enraged by the actions of corporations and monopolies, but were also outraged by their loss of security of life and property. Their way of life was being significantly altered by big business, and many westerners

    Read More

  • Transcontinental Railroad Thesis

    383 Words  | 2 Pages

    Each railroad company got one side of the country. The Union Pacific got the East side of the country, starting at Omaha, Nebraska, and the Central Pacific got the West side of the country, starting at Sacramento, California. Both companies joined tracks on May 10, 1869 in Promontory Point, Utah. During the time of the building, The Civil War

    Read More

  • The Lynch Law On African American Farmers In The Late 1800s

    528 Words  | 3 Pages

    Farming was “…rapidly extinguishing all debts and restoring an equilibrium to the currency of the country…” (Proceedings). But, for the farmer as a person, life was incredibly difficult. Farmers were often treated as less-than citizens and were harmed by the overpriced elements of the railroad. In a summary of Grange’s national meeting farmers were described as “…toiling laborers [who] are humiliated in their poverty” (Proceedings).

    Read More

  • Transcontinental Railroad Essay Outline

    1757 Words  | 8 Pages

    The Transcontinental Railroad is an important part of American history. This paper will include the influences that caused the Transcontinental Railroad, the union pacific A Transcontinental Railroad had been talked about for decades. It would be a railroad that would connect the East and western part of the country. When Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States in 1860, talk of the railroad was set aside by the U.S. Congress due to talk of war.

    Read More

  • Post Civil War Dbq

    1017 Words  | 5 Pages

    In the post-Civil War United States corporations grew significantly in number, size and influence. Big business had a major impact on the economy and politics in America resulting in changes for many American citizens. As been noted, one way in

    Read More

  • Federal Farm Loan Act Pros And Cons

    1068 Words  | 5 Pages

    From the year 1900 to 1910 the U.S. census revealed that the value of land for rural farmers more than doubled in that timeframe (JSTOR

    Read More

  • The Negative Effects Of The Underground Railroad

    275 Words  | 2 Pages

    The cotton gin was a machine that was able to pick the seeds from cottons faster than the slaves and the machine was able to sell more profits for the south then ever before although the cotton gin was able to pick cotton seeds it also demanded the need for more slaves to pick the cotton from the fields which gave a negative impact for the slaves themselves. The Underground Railroad was an underground tunnel system that allowed African Americans slaves to escape from their slave owners. The system had a conductor, lines, stations, and freight to help them in the underground tunnels which is why people call it an underground railroad. Conductors were people that would help the slaves most of the conductors were Men and Women, The lines were

    Read More

  • Transcontinental Railroad Research Paper Outline

    1080 Words  | 5 Pages

    Central Pacific Railroad started from San Francisco, and used Chinese laborers for their work, pushing through the Sierra Nevada mountains. In 1867, to encourage quick progression, Congress deemed the land remaining between the two companies, which was the Utah plains, to be paid at mountain rate. This motivated the Union Pacific crew to lay 360 miles of track, and the Central Pacific crew to lay 425 miles of track within the year (Stockwell, 2011). Unfortunately, this hasty pace came at a cost.

    Read More

  • The Strenuous Life Speech Analysis

    1123 Words  | 5 Pages

    Farmers in the West, both before and as the Depression hit, frivolously worked to farm their land and produce as much agriculture as possible, aiming to fulfil their duty as a “proper” American citizen in fulfilling their role as a hard and productive worker. The ideas of hard work ultimately led to over-working the American farmland in the western United States. As the overworked land was uprooted, displacing these farmers, the ideas of a strenuous American work ethic continued to remain in the minds of these

    Read More

  • Farmers's Response To Industrialization In The Gilded Age

    1456 Words  | 6 Pages

    In a time when America was coming out of the bloodiest war that was ever fought, against themselves, The Civil War, and when America looked overseas for a new frontier with Imperialism. It is in this context that America started to grow westward with farm land and in industry with the million of workers, but America still felt growing pains. Two significant ways in which farmers and industrial workers responded to industrialization in the Gilded Age (1865-1900) were the formation of organizations to protect farmers, and the creation of labor unions and the use of strikes to protect the workers. One significant way in which farmers responded to industrialization in the Gilded Age (1865 - 1900) was the formation of organizations to protect farmers. During Westward Expansion farmers fell victims to the low pricing of the crops.

    Read More

  • To What Extent Was The Transcontinental Railroad

    815 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Discussion Questions On The Transcontinental Railroad

    438 Words  | 2 Pages

    Leah Kurland 5/7/18 US-1/CPE Transcontinental Railroad Focus / Comprehension Questions (14 pts) Directions: Read the handout , watch the video clip and answer the following questions in complete sentences, including a proper topic sentence. Post your responses to the Schoology drop box provided. Video Notes: - Great plains → vast; untouched - Takes 6 months to cross - Lincoln signs transcontinental railroad into effect; 2,000 miles long - The Union Pacific starts from Omaha - Central Pacific starts in Sacramento - They meet in Utah; promontory point - Government doesn’t have enough money; pay companies in federal land - Must dig through the mountain; use Chinese laborers for the most deadly jobs - Use an explosive to demolish

    Read More

  • Essay On The Impact Of Railroads In America

    821 Words  | 4 Pages

    In turn, railroad companies spent large sums of money purchasing railroad supplies. The cycle of employing large numbers of workers, building the railroads, and spending large sums of money stimulated extraordinary growth in the economy. In addition, railroads caused the remarkable growth of nationwide marketing in America in the late 19th century. Railroads allowed mail-order

    Read More

  • How Did The Railroads Affect The Economy

    891 Words  | 4 Pages

    Business owners made lots of money from the railroads because they were able to transport goods farther and faster with ease. Although the railroads tremendously impacted businesses and therefore the economy, the native americans were negatively impacted because the railroads were being laid on “their” land. This caused distrust between the settlers and the natives because of the “disrespect” for the land. Because of the new ways of transportation, the industrial revolution took place causing skilled artisans to be replaced by unskilled workers that used large complex machines.

    Read More

More about Discuss The Effects Of The Transcontinental Railroad

Open Document