History of the First Transcontinental Railroad

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Questions and Answers

What was the daily wage for Union Pacific workers who laid track?

$2 (correct)

What significant challenge did Central Pacific crews face while working?

50 (correct)

What happened to the sections of track laid by the Union Pacific workers during the winter of 1868?

They were washed away by rain.

They stayed intact despite the ice.

Large sections of track gave way. (correct)

They were laid on solid ground.

What method did Central Pacific workers occasionally use to overcome obstacles in the mountains?

Using explosives like dynamite Signup and view all the answers

Who were the 'Big Four' in the railroad industry?

Four prominent businessmen Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the shortcuts taken by both railroad companies?

High cost to fix track issues later Signup and view all the answers

What was the reason the government sent the cavalry to protect railroad workers?

To ward off angry Plains Indians Signup and view all the answers

On what date did the two sections of tracks from the railroad companies meet?

May 10, 1869 Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant transportation method available in 1850 for carrying heavy loads?

Ships Signup and view all the answers

What year did Lincoln sign the Railroad Act to build the transcontinental railroad?

1862 Signup and view all the answers

Where did the Union Pacific Railroad Company start laying tracks?

Omaha, Nebraska Signup and view all the answers

How did the construction of the railroad impact the land owned by the companies?

The government granted huge areas of land along the tracks laid. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the Central Pacific Railroad workers were Chinese immigrants?

80% Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the labor shortage faced by the railroad companies?

Not many people lived in California at the time. Signup and view all the answers

What type of living arrangement did the workers have while laying tracks?

They resided on a train that followed the tracks they laid. Signup and view all the answers

Why did some people doubt the ability of Chinese workers?

They believed the workers were too small and not strong enough. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The First Transcontinental Railroad

In 1850, the United States was vast and travel from the East Coast to the West Coast was slow and dangerous.
The invention of the steam locomotive in 1850 spurred the idea of a transcontinental railroad.
In 1862, President Lincoln signed the Railroad Act, which authorized the construction of the first transcontinental railroad.
Two companies were tasked with building the railroad: the Union Pacific Railroad Company starting from Omaha, Nebraska, and the Central Pacific Railroad Company starting from Sacramento, California.
The construction of the railroad was delayed by the Civil War.
The Central Pacific Railroad Company faced a shortage of workers and hired Chinese immigrants, who despite facing prejudice for being "too small" proved to be skilled and efficient workers.
The Central Pacific Railroad Company employed nearly 80 percent Chinese workers.
The workers lived on a train that followed them as they laid track, equipped with living quarters, a kitchen, and supplies.
The Union Pacific workers faced harsh weather conditions, conflicts with Native Americans, and earned $2 per day with bonuses for extra work.
The Central Pacific workers faced the challenge of the Sierra Mountains, using dynamite and hand tools to construct tunnels through the rock.
Both companies took shortcuts during construction, which led to costly repairs later.
The construction of the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869, connecting the East Coast and the West Coast, creating a significant connection between the two regions.
The completion of the railroad was the result of the work of 20,000 men.
The railroad brought great wealth to the heads of the railroad companies, the so-called "Big Four" (Collis P. Huntington, Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, and Mark Hopkins), who were criticized for their treatment of workers.
The transcontinental railroad greatly impacted the expansion of the West, facilitating trade, transportation, and settlement of new lands.

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Description

Explore the creation of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States, a monumental achievement of the 19th century. Learn about the challenges faced by workers, including the significant contributions of Chinese immigrants. This quiz covers key events, policies, and the impact of the railroad on American life and travel.