Gilded Age Railroads

How many miles of railroad track were built in the U.S. by 1900?

192,556 miles, more than all of Europe combined.

What role did the U.S. government play in transcontinental railroad building?

The government subsidized railroad building since unpopulated areas were initially unprofitable.

What happened to cities that were bypassed by railroads?

They became 'ghost towns'.

What major industrial revolution was sparked by the growth of railroads?

The second industrial revolution.

What industries received a significant boost from the railroad expansion?

The steel and coal industries.

When was the transcontinental railroad completed?

May 10, 1869.

Which railroad built west from Omaha, Nebraska?

The Union Pacific Railroad.

Who led the Central Pacific Railroad?

Leland Stanford and three other talented businessmen.

How many Chinese laborers worked on the Central Pacific Railroad?

10,000 Chinese laborers.

What was the significance of the transcontinental railroad?

It linked the entire continent via railroad and telegraph, paving the way for the growth of the Great West and facilitating trade with Asia.

Who was Cornelius Vanderbilt?

A railroad tycoon who popularized steel rails and had a near monopoly of railroad traffic in the eastern U.S.

What practices led critics to label Vanderbilt a 'robber baron'?

His monopolistic practices and considerable political influence.

What were the three western frontiers established by the transcontinental railroad?

Mining, ranching, and farming.

What was the Homestead Act of 1862?

A law that allowed settlers to acquire up to 160 acres of land by living on it for 5 years and improving it.

What was the impact of the railroad on mining in the West?

Mineral-rich areas were settled quickly, with significant discoveries like gold in Pikes Peak and the Comstock Lode.

How did the transcontinental railroad affect ranching?

It facilitated transportation of meat to cities using refrigerator cars.

What was the 'long drive' in cattle ranching?

The process where Texas cowboys drove herds to railroad terminals.

What challenges did homesteaders face under the Homestead Act?

Many faced inadequate land, drought, hail, and insect damage, leading to a high abandonment rate.

What significant event occurred on April 22, 1889?

The Oklahoma land rush, where nearly 100,000 settlers entered lands formerly occupied by the Creeks and Seminoles.

Which new states were admitted to the Union from the 1870s to the 1890s?

Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming.