Transcontinental Rail Road - 1303 Words

Kirsten Bernstein Early American History December 6, 2011 Transcontinental Railroad The Transcontinental Railroad was a significant event in American History. This railroad was the work of two railroad companies, the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific, which built their lines as fast as they could until they met in Utah in 1869. Once this complex building project was completed, the United States was now connected from coast to coast by railroad tracks and led to an era of westward expansion. What few people realize is that this turning point in American history could not have happened if it were not for the immigrant groups who helped to build this remarkable railroad. Irish†¦show more content†¦Although they appeared small and scrawny, they were fearless and very hard working. Another benefit of hiring these Chinese workers was that they drank heated tea instead of muddy ditch water. As a result they were less likely to get sick. The Chinese immigrants had a huge role in building the transcontinental railroad. They worked in the central pacific. In the beginning it was slow and difficult. Working there was both strenuous and dangerous. However that didn’t affect the way they worked. Crocker once said, â€Å"Wherever we put them, we found them good.†(PBS 1) The Chinese labored under extremely dangerous conditions, for little pay, even less than the Irish immigrants. They had to survive during harsh winters and the scorching heat in the desert. They earned a reputation real fast, as â€Å"tireless and extraordinarily reliable workers- - quite, peaceable, patients, industrious, and economical.†(Digitalhistory 1) The track laying was divided up into various parts: one gang laid rails on the ties, drove the spikes, and bolted the splice bars; at the same time, another gang distributed telegraph poles and wire along the grade, while the cooks prepared dinner and the clerks busied themselves with accounts, records, using telegraph wire to tap for more materials and supplies. One huge problem they had to triumph over was located in the Sierra Nevada. They had a dilemma because huge solid granite ridges were blocking construction. They had to be tunneledShow MoreRelatedNegative and Positive Impact of the Transcontinental Railroad1165 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿ Negative and Positive Impact of the Transcontinental Railroad Jeff Neukirch History 101 American History to 1877 Dr. Kimberly Weathers 26 June 2012 The Impacts of the Transcontinental Railroad On May 10, 1869 as the â€Å"Last Spike† struck by Leland Stanford now connected the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads across the United States at Promontory Summit in the Utah Territory. The transcontinental railroads now complete and America is now destined to move to the forefrontRead MoreThe TransContinental Railroad Essay1488 Words   |  6 PagesThe TransContinental Railroad â€Å"If any act symbolized the taming of the Northwest frontier, it was the driving of the final spike to complete the nation’s first transcontinental railroad.†1 The first railroad west of the Mississippi River was opened on December 23, 1852. 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