| Expansion and Development of Western Railroads (1848-1870) |
|
Sections:- The Pacific Railroad Convention
- Railroad Surveys: An Annotated Timeline
- Pacific Telegraph Act
- The Pacific Railroad Act of 1862
- The Great Railroad Race
- "The Great Race for the Western Stakes", 1870
- The Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad
- The Railroads and the Civil War
|
| Historical Context
In the mid-nineteenth century, the railroad industry was booming, particularly in northern California. Although business was good, the railroad enthusiasts in California were nonetheless left with the task of finding funding for their bold railroad projects. In 1859, a Pacific Railroad Convention was convened in Sacramento, California. This convention, attended by those representing the railroad industry in northern California, proposed that the state of California indebt itself some fifteen million dollars in order to fund railroad endeavors. In order to do this, the Convention called for the amendment of the California state Constitution. The Convention reconvened in 1860, this time attended by members of the California state legislature, to further discuss the proposal for state funding of railroads.
Attached Documents
The documents provided below are the actual minutes of this 1860 Pacific Railroad Convention.
Questions to Consider
1) List the possible implications of state funding for commercial endeavors. Do you think governments should fund projects such as these? Why or why not?
2) Discuss the connections between the railroad industry and the gold rushes of California. |
| | | | | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
Debates over where to build railroad lines began to rage as the railroad industry grew. In order to determine the best routes to create, the railroad industry conducted a number of informal surveys. In doing so, the decision-makers in the industry were able to aptly determine the most advantageous railroad development plans.
Attached Documents
The following document contains excerpts from surveys conducted as early as 1848.
Questions to Consider
1) Did the railroad surveys adequately reflect the general will of most of the population? Who do the surveys seem to actually represent? |
| | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
As various industries, particularly the railroad industry, began to flourish in the United States, communication emerged as a major frontier for innovation. Electronic telegraph machines were able to transmit messages almost instantly, but the popularity of these machines had not yet caught on. Aware of the importance of transcontinental communication, the U.S. Congress passed the Pacific Telegraph Act of 1860. This Act approved the construction of an electronic telegraph lines from Missouri to the West Coast.
Attached Documents
Provided below are excerpts from the Congressional Act, a map depicting the electronic telegraph route, as well as a colored map by communication pioneer Samuel Morse depicting the railway telegraph map.
Questions to Consider
1) Why did innovations in cross-continental communication emerge in tandem with the railroad industry? |
| | | | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
With the rapid expansion of the railroad industry came increased demand for land and capital in order to continue construction, particularly for the highly anticipated transcontinental railroad. In 1862, the United States Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act, legislation that secured the building of a railroad to stretch from the East to the West coasts of the U.S. The Act, ultimately approved by President Abraham Lincoln, also allowed for the issuance of U.S. Government Bonds to the Union Pacific Railroad Company and the Central Pacific Railroad Company in order to build the transcontinental railroad. In order to satisfy the need for more land, particularly in the Western states, the Act also called for significant land grants to be awarded to the railroads.
Attached Documents
Provided below are excerpts from the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862, as well as an original map of the Union Pacific Railway
Questions to Consider
1) In what ways would a transcontinental railroad help the U.S.? In what ways would it harm the U.S.?
2) Discuss the relationship between the U.S. Congress and the railroad industry. Do you think this sort of government/commercial alliance is desirable? Why or why not?
|
| | | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
The passing of the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 sparked a lively competition between the Union Pacific Railroad Company and the Central Pacific Railroad Company. The Pacific Railway Act promised both land and money to the builder of a transcontinental railroad, causing both companies to race to construct a railroad to span the country. It is important to note that the railroad companies were not simply competing for the government spoils. The benefits to the railroad companies came in many forms, including the towns that would spring up around the newly constructed tracks.
Attached Documents
The following poster depicts the competitive nature of the Great Railroad Race.
Questions to Consider
1) In addition to rapid construction, what are other ways the two railroad companies were forced to compete?
2) Do you think the competition between the two railroad companies produced more quality construction projects? Why or why not? |
| | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
Competition among railroad companies was not unique to those competing to build the first transcontinental railroad line. Local and regional railroad companies also competed, as reflected in the cartoon provided below.
Attached Documents
The cartoon represents a conflict among railroad companies on the East Coast of the U.S., particularly in New York.
Questions to Consider
1) Discuss the cartoon below. In what ways does it reflect the competitive nature of the railroad companies in the late 1800's? |
| | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
The race to complete the transcontinental railroad found the Central Pacific Railroad Company building East from Sacramento and the Union Pacific Railroad Company building West from Omaha. In 1869, the two companies met in Promontory Summit, Utah and the first transcontinental railroad was completed. A grand ceremony was held in Utah to commemorate the event.
Attached Documents
Provided below is a photograph of the event.
Questions to Consider
1) The photograph below depicts a joyous occasion. Discuss the difficulties faced by both companies in the construction of this railroad. What benefits and new challenges would this cross-country transportation system bring to the nation. |
| | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
The Pacific Railway Act of 1862 sparked a race to complete the first transcontinental railroad. Other railway lines were also being envisioned, particularly in the Southern states. The Civil War, however, proved an obstacle to the construction of railroad lines.
Attached Documents
Provided below are photographs of railroad construction that took place during the Civil War.
The document following the photographs is a report from General Herman Haupt as to the conditions of the railroad lines during the Civil War.
Questions to Consider
1. Discuss the implications of building a major railway line during the Civil War.
|
| | | | | Citations: | |
|
| Back To Module List Back to Sections |
