Transcontinental Railroad: Key Figures and Their Impact
Who were the key figures in the construction of the transcontinental railroad?
Key figures and entities in the construction of the transcontinental railroad include Jay Gould, the Union Pacific, and Central Pacific. How did they contribute to this monumental project?
Final Answer:
Several individuals and entities played a significant role in the construction of the transcontinental railroad. A key figure is Jay Gould, a prominent railroad magnate who owned the Union Pacific Railroad, a key player in the construction of the original transcontinental railroad line.
Two corporations, the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific, were commissioned under the Pacific Railway Act to build new tracks. Union Pacific built west from Omaha, Nebraska, while Central Pacific moved east from Sacramento, California. This monumental project was completed in 1869, linking all corners of the nation.
Railroad construction played a pivotal role in opening the Western territories for settlement, transforming the nation's transportation system and stimulating economic growth.
Explanation:
Several individuals and entities played a significant role in the construction of the transcontinental railroad. A significant figure is Jay Gould, a prominent railroad magnate who owned the Union Pacific Railroad, a key player in the construction of the original transcontinental railroad line. Gould's business model, though controversial, enabled a major expansion of the railroad network.
Two corporations, the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific, were commissioned under the Pacific Railway Act to build new tracks. Union Pacific built west from Omaha, Nebraska, while Central Pacific moved east from Sacramento, California. This monumental project was completed in 1869, linking all corners of the nation.
Railroad construction, though backbreaking and often dangerous work, played a pivotal role in opening the Western territories for settlement. It transformed the nation's transportation system, stimulated economic growth and led to the emergence of railroads as the first 'big business' in the country.