The Transcontinental Railroad: Government Support and Construction

The Transcontinental Railroad was a monumental project that reshaped the American West in the late 19th century. Its construction was made possible through significant government support and the efforts of two rival companies.

The U.S. government played a crucial role in financing and incentivizing the railroad's construction. In 1862, the Pacific Railroad Act was passed, providing substantial government incentives for private companies to undertake this massive project. The government loaned a total of $61 million to support the construction efforts.

Highlight: The government granted 12,000 acres of land for every mile of track laid, providing additional financial incentive for the railroad companies.

Two major companies emerged as rivals in the race to build the railroad:

1. The Central Pacific Railroad Company
2. The Union Pacific Railroad Company

These companies competed to lay the most track, driving the rapid expansion of the railroad network across the country.

Example: By 1890, the USA had 324,000 km of railroads, mostly in the West, surpassing the combined railway networks of all European countries.

The construction of the Transcontinental Railroad had far-reaching consequences for the Native American populations living on the Plains. The government began to "extinguish" Native American land rights along the railroad routes, breaking previously established treaties. This action set the stage for conflicts and displacement that would profoundly affect Native American communities for generations to come.

Economic Impact and Development of the West

The Transcontinental Railroad had a transformative effect on the economy and development of the American West. Its completion in 1869 ushered in a new era of trade, industry, and settlement that rapidly changed the landscape of the region.

One of the most significant impacts was on trade. The railroad provided access to markets for homesteaders, allowing them to sell their produce to the Eastern United States and even Europe. It also facilitated the transport of goods that made life on the Plains easier, such as stoves, furniture, and other household items.

Highlight: The railroad network in the USA grew from 200,000 km in 1850 to 324,000 km by 1890, mostly in the West, surpassing the combined railway networks of all European countries.

The cattle industry was particularly affected by the railroad's expansion. It stimulated cattle drives from Texas to railheads, where cattle could be sold to railroad builders and merchants from the Eastern USA. This led to the development of "cow towns" along the railroad routes, which became hubs of economic activity.

Example: Abilene, Kansas, was developed as a cow town by cattle entrepreneur Joseph McCoy, becoming a center for cattle trade and attracting various businesses such as saloons, gambling halls, and tailors.

Technological innovations also played a role in the railroad's economic impact. The development of refrigerated railcars by Gustavus Swift revolutionized the meat industry, allowing for the transport of fresh beef from the Plains to markets in the East. This made cattle ranching on the Plains a viable and profitable enterprise.

Vocabulary: Railhead - The point at which a railroad ends or connects to another line.

The railroad's influence extended beyond agriculture and ranching. It spurred the growth of various industries along its route, from mining to manufacturing. Towns and cities sprang up around railroad stations, becoming centers of commerce and population growth.

However, it's important to note that this rapid economic development came at a significant cost to Native American populations and the environment. The near-extinction of the buffalo, driven in part by the railroad's facilitation of mass hunting, had devastating consequences for Plains Indian cultures and the ecosystem of the Great Plains.

Definition: Assimilation - The process by which a minority group adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture.

The economic transformation brought about by the Transcontinental Railroad was a double-edged sword, bringing prosperity to some while displacing and marginalizing others. Its legacy continues to shape the American West to this day.