BASICS
During what war did the building of the railroad start?
The Civil War
Who were the first immigrant workers to begin working on the railroad?
Chinese
Why were explosives vital to building the transcontinental railroad?
It allowed the workers to create tunnels to build through.
Why was the railroad built?
So the Western US could be more easily populated.(Marketing and resources)
Why is it called the Transcontinental Railroad?
It stretches coast to coast.
How many workers worked on the railroad overall?
Over 20,000
Who worked for Central Pacific before the strike of 1867?
Chinese immigrants
How did building the Transcontinental Railroad affect the Native Americans?
Railroads accelerated the displacement of Native Americans.
Where did the Transcontinental Railroad get its financial aid?
The government
During May 10, 1869, this 17.6-karat metal type of pin was driven into the railroad to finalize its building by Leland Standford.
A golden spike
What was some of the pros of building the Transcontental Railroad?
Trade and Commerce
Affordable Travel
Western Importance
Who worked for the Union Pacific company?
Civil war Veterans, formerly enslaved people, Irish, and German immigrants.
What was used to blow up mountains?
gunpowder and nitroglycerine(Dynamite)
Who were the two companies that competed to build the railroad?
The Union Pacific and The Central Pacific
The Transcontinental Railroad runs from Sacramento to Council Bluffs. Name 1 of the 6 states that the Transcontinental Railroad runs through.
California, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, or Nevada.
What was some of the cons of building the Transcontental Railroad?
Displacement of Native Americans
Poor Environmental Impact
Increased racial prejudice
Unfair wages
What were Chinese men referred to as?
Coolies
Which of the two companies built more of the railroad?
The Union Pacific built a over 1,000 rails
What was the overland travel time before they built the Transcontinental Railroad?
5-6 months
New Mexico's population increased to over 50% of railroad workers from southern North America because of the Transcontinental Railroad. Who were the workers?
Mexican Immigrants
Where did the two sets of tracks join in 1869 to create the first transcontinental railroad?
Promontory, Utah
Name all 7 groups that worked on the Transcontinental Railroad.
Irish, German, Chinese, Mexican, Native American, African American, and Civil War veterans.
What was the The Pacific Railway Act of 1862?
The act authorized construction along a north-central route by two competing companies.
Who were the big four?
Leland Stanford
Collis P. Huntington
Mark Hopkins
Charles Crocker
During this strike in 1867, Chinese workers demanded equal rights for their labor. This resulted in the company cutting them off.
1867 Chinese labor strike