settlement - making of america (NOT FINISHED)

describe the impact of new railroads

• fully opened the West to settlement - made it easier to migrate west

• government and rail companies gave free land to farm either side of the railway

• rail companies got 6400 acres of land for each of mile railroad built

• made it easier to get goods to cities

• thousands of workers were needed

• it made cattle ranching much easier

• cattle towns developed - they had reputations for violence and debauchery

• the railroads divided Indian lands and disrupted the buffalo herds

who ordered the construction of the Transcontinental Railroads

Abraham Lincoln

what were the names of the companies involved in the Transcontinental Railroads and where did they start from

• Union Pacific (originated in Nebraska)

• Central Pacific (originated in California)

who did most of the hard work during the construction of the Transcontinental Railroads

• Irish and Chinese labourers

• who faced horrific conditions for low pay

how did the railroad impact Native Americans lives

• forced Native American nations off their lands

• buffalo populations (their main food source) were dwindling due to over predation by white settlers

• destruction of Native American ways of life - main factor of conflict post-construction

where was the meeting point for the 2 railroads

Promontory Summit, Utah

what date was the Transcontinental Railroads finished

May 10th 1869

what was the significance of the railroads for migration and settlement

cut the journey West from 6 months by wagon to 7 days by train