Why did the US government desire to build a transcontinental railroad?
Connecting the two American coasts made the economic export of Western resources to Eastern markets easier than ever before. The railroad also facilitated westward expansion, escalating conflicts between Native American tribes and settlers who now had easier access to new territories.
Why is the transcontinental railroad important?
In addition to transporting western food crops and raw materials to East Coast markets and manufactured goods from East Coast cities to the West Coast, the railroad also facilitated international trade. The first freight train to travel eastward from California carried a load of Japanese tea.
Why did the federal government support the transcontinental railroad quizlet?
The government helped the construction of the first transcontinental railroad because it was so costly and risky that it required the government to help. The government helped by granting the railroad builders land on which they were to build the railroads. Four other transcontinental railroads were built.
Why did the government want to build the transcontinental railroad?
I think that the federal government had good reasons for wanting to build a transcontinental railroad. The railroad served many purposes and helped many people greatly. One of the government’s reasons was that they wanted more people to move into America because that would help develop our economy.
Who are the competitors for the transcontinental railroad?
Dreams of a Transcontinental Railroad. Two Competing Companies: The Central Pacific and the Union Pacific Railroad. Danger Ahead: Building the Transcontinental Railroad. Driving Toward The Last Spike. Impact on The United States.
Who was the Chief Engineer of the transcontinental railroad?
Chinese laborers at work on construction for the railroad built across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, circa 1870s. After General Grenville Dodge, a hero of the Union Army, took control as chief engineer, the Union Pacific finally began to move westward in May 1866.
What was the name of the company that built the railroad?
The railroad was built by several companies including the Western Pacific Railway Company, the Central Pacific Railway Company of California, and the Union Pacific Railroad Company. The railroad was built between 1863 and 1869 as a means of connecting the east and west coasts of the United States of America.