Lecture 12 - Connecting California to the East - Tagged

Connecting Calif. to the East

  • Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O): One of the oldest railroads in the U.S. and the first common carrier railroad.

  • Motivated by competition with the Erie Canal, which served New York City.

  • Woodcut from 1830 shows the B&O.

Expansion of Railroads

  • Dozens of railroads built west from Atlantic seaport cities.

  • By 1845, America had over half the world's railroad mileage.

Impact of Railroads on America

  • Railroads made American progress possible by:

    • Increasing Travel: Enabled people to travel great distances with speed and comfort.

    • Transporting Goods: Allowed transport of larger amounts of goods, mail, and supplies quickly.

    • Military Logistics: Provided rapid coverage and protection across vast territories.

  • Influenced conflicts such as the war with Mexico and diplomatic tensions over the Oregon Territory.

Building the Central Pacific Railroad

  • The vastness of the western half of North America was underappreciated in the 1840s.

  • Manifest Destiny: Key motivating factor.

  • Fostering development; believing Americans were ordained by God to build towns, cities, farms, and factories.

Asa Whitney's Contribution

  • Asa Whitney, the father of the Pacific Railroad, advocated for a railroad from Lake Michigan to Puget Sound in 1845.

  • His plea sparked a debate about building a transcontinental railroad, despite previous discussions on the topic.

Significance of the Pacific Railroad

  • The projectors of the Pacific Railroad perceived limited significance of their work.

  • The project accelerated the end of the continental frontier.

Congressional Efforts

  • Congress chartered Army surveys to explore routes to the West Coast, published in 1855 as The Pacific Railroad Surveys of 1853-55.

Lincoln and the Railroad Initiative

  • Lincoln met Grenville Dodge in 1859, asking for the best route for a Pacific railroad; he became a steadfast supporter until 1865.

Sacramento Valley Railroad

  • First train over the Sacramento Valley Railroad operated in February 1856.

  • Designed by Theo. Judah, showcasing ambition for rail connectivity in California.

Theodore Judah's Vision

  • Judah aimed to find a route for the railroad over the Sierra, marking his start in expansion projects.

The Big Four in Rail Development

  • Judah presented his idea to Sacramento businessmen, leading to the formation of the “Big Four”: Leland Stanford, Collis Huntington, Mark Hopkins, and Charles Crocker.

  • Stanford became president, Huntington vice president, and Judah chief engineer.

Political Dynamics and the Railway

  • Lincoln facilitated the railway despite skepticism from many leaders; his plans included stopping the spread of slavery, daily mail service, and the transcontinental railroad as part of the Civil War effort.

The Pacific Railroad Act

  • Lincoln signed the Pacific Railroad Act on July 1, 1862, empowering the Central Pacific to build eastward and chartering the Union Pacific Railroad.

Land Grants and Financing

  • The Federal government granted odd-numbered sections within land grants, resulting in effective land ownership patterns for the railroads.

  • Railroad companies received significant land and cash incentives to finance construction.

Challenges Faced in Construction

  • By 1861, Central Pacific faced financial difficulties, criticism, and a shortage of workers, while Judah underestimated project costs.

  • After discovering a feasible route through Donner Pass, the project cost escalated significantly.

Central Pacific Construction

  • The Pacific Railroad Act led to serious construction efforts beginning in 1863, with Judah and others spearheading fundraising and procurement of materials.

Community Foundation for Railroads

  • Groundbreaking for the Central Pacific occurred on January 8, 1863, in Sacramento, a significant milestone for the railroad’s development.

Historical Context and Reflection

  • Questions regarding the language regarding Indian-Anglo relations, technological advancement, and the integration of Indian extermination and assimilation themes in the 1850s context.