Reuben Ackarie Professor King History 102 25 Feb 17. Railroad Westward Expansion from 1860 to 1890 The history of America is grounded in the concepts of immigration, expansion, and economic growth. When European settlers arrived along the East Coast, they developed a new doctrine called the manifest destiny that would guide their path (Manifest). The project to join the East and West Coast; which once could be considered as an impossible task, gradually gained steam (pardon the pun). Development of the railroad network spearheaded the process as it opened up new lands, connected major cities, and also enabled agricultural and economic growth (Balliet 8). The railroad not only served as a means of transport but also marked the route for the …show more content…
These small rural towns served by the railroad attracted increasingly larger populations that transformed them into cultural hotspots and centers of learning (Atack and Margo 13). Around the 1870s, Cincinnati and St. Louis had attracted a significant population including workers and farmers (PBS Map). Individuals from different cultural backgrounds mingled and interacted to form a unique culture. Various types of food, music, folklore, literature, language, dressing, farming, buildings, and relationships all combined to create the American identity. By 1890, over ten cities with populations of over 100, 000 people had emerged on the westward expansion route along the railway tracks (PBS Map). It is not hard to fathom that cities by waterways experienced more rapid growth economically and population-wise (Balliet 12). The availability of resources was a simple explanation. With time, these cities and rail transport became major elements of the American …show more content…
Specifically, between 1869 and 1890, it enabled the westward expansion that allowed the creation of more settlements in the Midwestern plains all through to the West Coast. The rail route also served a significant role in designating administrative posts and even urban settlements that later evolved into the major cities. It is a fair statement to conclude, the majority of the factors that make America what it is today including technology, democracy, and culture to include immigration, can all be traced to the westward expansion of the railroad
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.
The railroad turned the city into a mining agriculture and a retail center (Doc D). This shows that the Transcontinental Railroad
In the 1840s, the steamboat was a very common mode of transportation along the rivers of south-central states. This, of course, resulted in increased business on and around the rivers that run through America. Another transportation mode that was boosted by the expansion was the railway system, as significant numbers of Americans desired to move West. As the century progressed, the railroad system began to expand to help transport both people and large amounts of agriculture goods from place to place. Not only did the expansion of the agricultural industry boost America’s economy, the continuous Westward expansion attracted more Americans to travel and settle Westward; this resulted in further economic growth due to the nation’s expanding transportation networks, the building of new infrastructure, and the settlement of new towns and communities which relied on goods and services to
The transcontinental railroad and the westward expansion of the 19th century was key in American development. During the first colonization during the 17th century, settlers made their home along the east coast of North America. Establishing homes and farms along waterways such as rivers and the Atlantic Ocean. By the 1860’s, settlers had moved as far west as St. Louis, Missouri and as
During the period of 1860-1900, there were many factors that helped to promote America’s industrial growth. With railroads increasing commerce, a large supply of necessary resources: coal, iron, and water, help from the supportive government, and a large wave of new immigrants it really was irresistible to not turn into a much more mechanized country. Once the 20th century was upon us, America was one of the greatest industrial nations in the World. Industrialization is what has led this country to be as successful as we know it today. As shown in Document 2, in 1860, there were less than 40,000 miles of railroad track.
A. Describe American Westward expansion during the nineteenth century and analyze two key features of this process in relation to questions of American national identity. Introduction The history of the United States is a history of westward expansion. In the early 19th century, the United States purchased the rights to landmasses west of the inhabited East coast of America. This is known as the Louisiana Purchase, and was arguably the event that set of the century of exploration, settlements and war, known as the Westward Expansion.
After the Civil War, the United States began to expand Westward. Much of this expansion was due to the transportation revolution. Railroads were spreading; roads, canals, and steamboats were improving. Allowing for more ways to travel West. As the country entered the Industrial Revolution, not only were people migrating within the country but immigrants began to emigrate to America.
It influenced Western migration by making a strong claim that white Americans belonged to the West, and that God has reserved land specifically for the use of members of this superior Christian democratic society. Lastly, the availability of supplies multiplied because of the railroad. “Rail travel transformed the American economy in the 1840s and 1850s, linking port cities to the interior. Before the advent of rail, the main route of commerce was along canal lines, which remained rail’s biggest competitor for quite some time.” (14).
Transcontinental railroad. In C. L. Clark (Ed.), The American Economy: A Historical Encyclopedia (2nd ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.apus.edu/login?url=http://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/abcamerecon/transcontinental_railroad/0?institutionId=8703 Railroads and Westward Expansion. (2011).
In conclusion, the effects that the transcontinental railroad has on the United Stated were profound. The transcontinental has open up a lot of opportunities for this country. In fact the construction still remains open and anybody can site see this amazing historical event. Being able to have a transportation that can transport people and goods to each coast of the country has become best opportunity for people to explore the United States.
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.
For some, it was destiny to move west. Although there were many conflicts and disagreements between ourselves and others, it was destiny to move west because of overpopulation, new inventions of transportation methods, and new opportunities. In the 19th Century, overpopulation was one of the major reasons for Westward Expansion. Immigrants were flooding into America for new opportunities and new ways of life and there was just not enough land to suffice the needs for all of the people. These immigrants were arriving in America in the port cities on the East Coast.
Between 1800 and 1875, America continuously expanded westward through the acquisition of new land; there were both favorable and unfavorable consequences and outcomes of westward expansion. From 1800 to 1875 due to westward expansion, America was able to reach the goal of expanding
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.