During the time after the Civil War, America needed a physical strategy to unite one another; the Transcontinental Railroad did just that. The railroad was one of the most impressive engineering projects in the United States. It generated a huge economic and social boost, in addition to creating an effective means of transportation, which assisted in the development of the United States. Although the Transcontinental Railroad helped to develop new opportunities for the American people, it had some negative effects as well. The railroad left a large impact on America, while at the same time united and divided our country. The development of the Transcontinental Railroad was a significant and enormous engineering project. It started in 1863
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The needs of the railroad generated hundreds of thousands of new jobs. Rails had to be manufactured out of steel, which enriched the steel industry. Railroad companies not only employed workmen to build the rails, but they also had to hire employees to maintain the rails. Engines and train cars were constructed out of steel in factories. Engine boilers burned coat, thus lead to an increase the quantity of coal that was mined. All these factory and mining jobs needed laborers, consequently the creation of large job force. The economy drastically flourished because of the railroad project and increase in production and jobs. The US had difficulty filling many of the jobs needed and therefore had to recruit laborers from overseas. Many Irish and Chinese immigrants came to the West Coast to work as laborers on the railroads. Many camps were set up to house workers and laborers. These camps soon attracted other western settlers and become some of the first cities in the Western United States. People began to set up businesses such as banks, groceries, pharmacies, trading posts, etc. and this encouraged city growth in the West. Not only did the railroad create jobs and cities but it also sparked the need for a new industry. It provided efficient transportation to move produce from western states to eastern states. Other industries also benefited from the growth and development of the railroads because …show more content…
The Native Americans were affected negatively because the railroads were built through their land, destroying their homes and communities. The Natives once occupied most of the continent, but colonization from Americans changed that. On several occasions, the Native Americans would fight back and retaliate against the Americans. One event was the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864. The Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians attacked the U.S. Military and killed mostly women and children. They would also destroy railroad trains and kill all the passengers. The Native Americans were pushed into small-allotted land spaces, which are now called reservations. During the time of the Native American rage, hunters were using the railroad lines to hunt buffalo. Buffalo was the main source of Native American food at the time. Between 1875 and 1885, northern and southern buffalo herds had been wiped out. On top of Native Americans being upset about the railroads taking their land, they also lost their main food supply, which caused the Native population to decline. Not only were the Native Americans mistreated at the time of the Transcontinental Railroad but immigrants were treated poorly as well. Railroad job opportunities opened up for people so many immigrants decided to move to America. Many of the immigrants came from Ireland and China. While working hard labor
The needs of the railroad generated hundreds of thousands of new jobs. Rails had to be manufactured out of steel, which enriched the steel industry. Railroad companies not only employed workmen to build the rails, but they also had to hire employees to maintain the rails. Engines and train cars were constructed out of steel in factories. Engine boilers burned coat, thus lead to an increase the quantity of coal that was mined. All these factory and mining jobs needed laborers, consequently the creation of large job force. The economy drastically flourished because of the railroad project and increase in production and jobs. The US had difficulty filling many of the jobs needed and therefore had to recruit laborers from overseas. Many Irish and Chinese immigrants came to the West Coast to work as laborers on the railroads. Many camps were set up to house workers and laborers. These camps soon attracted other western settlers and become some of the first cities in the Western United States. People began to set up businesses such as banks, groceries, pharmacies, trading posts, etc. and this encouraged city growth in the West. Not only did the railroad create jobs and cities but it also sparked the need for a new industry. It provided efficient transportation to move produce from western states to eastern states. Other industries also benefited from the growth and development of the railroads because …show more content…
The Native Americans were affected negatively because the railroads were built through their land, destroying their homes and communities. The Natives once occupied most of the continent, but colonization from Americans changed that. On several occasions, the Native Americans would fight back and retaliate against the Americans. One event was the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864. The Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians attacked the U.S. Military and killed mostly women and children. They would also destroy railroad trains and kill all the passengers. The Native Americans were pushed into small-allotted land spaces, which are now called reservations. During the time of the Native American rage, hunters were using the railroad lines to hunt buffalo. Buffalo was the main source of Native American food at the time. Between 1875 and 1885, northern and southern buffalo herds had been wiped out. On top of Native Americans being upset about the railroads taking their land, they also lost their main food supply, which caused the Native population to decline. Not only were the Native Americans mistreated at the time of the Transcontinental Railroad but immigrants were treated poorly as well. Railroad job opportunities opened up for people so many immigrants decided to move to America. Many of the immigrants came from Ireland and China. While working hard labor