How Did The Transcontinental Railroad Affect America

The Transcontinental Railroad had invited many changes to America, especially to international relations. The construction of the Railroad, especially influenced America’s relationship with China. Because the Chinese were willing to work with low wages, they had become one of the key labor forces in the Central Pacific Railroad Company. At one point, Chinese labor increased to as many as 10,000 to 15,000, representing 90% of the workforce (Chang). To encourage more immigration from China, the American government negotiated a treaty which is now called the Burlingame Treaty with the nation. (Brinkley) The treaty gave China most-favored-nation status for immigration, trade, and travel, allowing an unlimited influx of Chinese immigration. Thus, trade between China and …show more content…
Many people from neighboring countries to nations overseas rushed to America for the opportunities that it promised. Mexicans went north, mostly in Texas, to homestead. Europeans such as the Germans, Irish, and the Scandinavians settled in enclaves, in search of economic opportunities in the West (AP Study Notes). For the Germans, it was especially true. They moved westward between 1860 and 1890 as 60% of German immigrants moved to rural areas of the west such as Ohio and Wisconsin to set up their farms (US History in Context). The great opportunity given by the railroad motivated many people around the world to inhabit America, especially in the vast land of the West. Due to the fact that the railroad allowed the habitation of the great West, there were more opportunities for immigrants to start over their lives and live a better life. To add, there were number of Naturalization Conventions called Bancroft Treaties held between America and several European nations throughout 1868 and 1872. The nations that signed the treaties were North German Confederation, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and