The Impact of Railroads in Opening up the American West
Railroads played a crucial role in the development of the American West, enabling quicker travel, affordable land opportunities, and the growth of industries like cattle ranching. However, their construction also led to the destruction of Native American livelihoods, highlighting both the benefits and consequences of this transportation advancement. Railroads transformed the region and significantly influenced the westward expansion of the United States.
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The Railroads The first transcontinental railroad The American West
The Building of the Railroads Built in 1860s Two companies Central Pacific Railroad Company Union Pacific Railroad Company Met and joined railroad in Promontory, Utah Date of completion 10 May 1869 By 1893 there were 6 major railroad companies
Why did America need Railroads? Communication from East to West was not very good Travelling time from East to West took 6 months + It would help fulfil Manifest Destiny The U.S. needed to keep up with other countries Trade links with China and Japan Help to bring law and order to the West
Effect of the Railroads: Quick and easy travel to the West Previous methods Wagon Train Foot By boat Pony Express The railroad turned a 6 month journey into a maximum of 8 days
Effect of the Railroads: Cheap land for people wanting to go West Once the Railroads were built the Railroad companies had no use for the excess land Sold land off cheap Benefitted Homesteaders and Ranchers who came west.
Effect of the Railroads: Destruction of the Indians Hunters used the Railroad to go west to hunt the buffalo Hunters were only interested in buffalo skin 1875 southern buffalo herds wiped out 1885 northern buffalo herds wiped out Indians depended on the buffalo, but now they were gone!
Effect of the Railroads: Helps develop the Cattle Industry Cattle were transported by the railroads making it easier to move them from Texas to the East Cow Towns grew up around these railroad stops
Task Essay Question: How important were the railroad and railroad companies in opening up the west? Step 1: Planning your answer Step 2: Writing your answer
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