Transcontinental Railroad 1869: Building and Impact — Reading Comprehension

The Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869 and connected the eastern and western regions of the United States for the first time by rail. Its construction solved a significant problem: the vast American continent was difficult to cross quickly and safely. Prior to the railroad, it could take months to travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific, often by wagon, horseback, or ship. The nation’s leaders, like President Abraham Lincoln, believed a coast-to-coast railway would unite the country and encourage economic growth.

In the 1860s, the federal government passed the Pacific Railway Act, granting land and funds to private companies to build the railroad. Two companies, the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific, raced toward each other from opposite sides of the continent. The Union Pacific built westward from Nebraska, while the Central Pacific built eastward from California. Fierce competition and difficult conditions, such as mountain ranges and harsh weather, made construction extremely challenging.

The workforce included thousands of immigrant laborers, especially Chinese and Irish workers. The Chinese laborers faced discrimination and were often given the most dangerous jobs. A primary source from a Central Pacific manager stated, “Without them, it would be impossible to complete the western half of this great work.” This quote shows how crucial Chinese laborers were, even as they faced unfair treatment. Despite these hardships, they persevered and made remarkable engineering achievements, like blasting tunnels through the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Native American nations were directly affected by the railroad’s construction. The tracks crossed lands that had belonged to tribes for generations. Some Native Americans saw the railroad as a threat to their way of life and fought to protect their territory. Others tried to adapt by trading or negotiating with railroad officials. Conflict, broken treaties, and loss of hunting grounds led to hardship and forced relocation for many Indigenous communities. This reveals the contradictory nature of progress: what benefited some Americans harmed others.

The impact of the railroad was immense. It enabled faster movement of people and goods across the country, fueling westward migration and new settlements. Towns and cities sprang up along the route. The railroad companies profited, and the U.S. economy expanded, but not everyone benefited equally. While settlers gained new opportunities, Native Americans lost land and autonomy. Environmental changes, such as the near-extinction of the buffalo, followed the railroad’s path.

Government officials praised the railroad as a symbol of national unity and technological progress. At the Golden Spike ceremony in Utah, railroad leaders celebrated a new era of connection. However, some Americans questioned the costs, including corruption, labor exploitation, and the destruction of Native cultures. These issues remind us to examine both the achievements and the consequences of major historical events.

In summary, the Transcontinental Railroad was a solution to a national problem but created new challenges and inequalities. It shaped the development of the United States, connecting distant regions and transforming communities, economies, and lives. Understanding the multiple perspectives involved helps us appreciate the complexity of this milestone in American history.

Interesting Fact: The final golden spike that joined the two railroads at Promontory Summit, Utah, was made of real gold and is now on display at the California State Railroad Museum.

When was the Transcontinental Railroad completed?

Which two companies built the railroad?

Where did the Golden Spike ceremony happen?

Why was the railroad important for the U.S.?

Who faced discrimination during construction?

What effect did the railroad have on Native Americans?

The railroad caused environmental changes. True or false?

What does 'persevered' mean?