Railroads Contribute to the Growth of the Nation (College Board AP® US History)

The Transcontinental Railroad

Pacific Railway Act of 1862

• The Pacific Railway Act authorized the construction of a transcontinental railroad

  • This would create a direct connection across the country to stimulate economic growth

• The federal government supplied financial assistance in the forms of funds and land grants to railroad companies to encourage the project

• Construction and key players included:

  • Union Pacific Railroad

    • Starting at Omaha, Nebraska 

    • Worked westward

    • The workforce consisted of Irish, German, and Italian immigrants

  • Central Pacific Railroad 

    • Starting at Sacramento, California

    • Worked eastward

    • The workforce consisted of immigrants from China, who faced harsh working conditions and discrimination

• To complete the transcontinental railroad, the two railroads met at Promontory Point, Utah in May 1869

  • The final connection was symbolized by a golden spike, marking the completion

• The transcontinental railroad set a precedent for future infrastructure development

• More transcontinental railroads would be built in the coming decades, further enhancing connectivity and national economic growth

Image: Transcontinental Railroad