Pacific Railroad Act

• What was the major goal of the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862?

  Linking east to west with a fast, reliable transport method
• How did the Pacific Railroad Act relate to the concept of manifest destiny?

  It aimed to fulfill the belief that white Europeans should occupy the entire continent
• What technology provided a solution for faster transport across the continent?

  Steam locomotives and railroads
• Which two companies were authorized to build the Transcontinental Railroad?

  Central Pacific and Union Pacific companies
• From where did the Central Pacific company begin building the railroad?

  From Sacramento in California
• What challenging terrain did the Central Pacific company have to navigate?

  The Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains
• What was the starting point for the Union Pacific company?

  Omaha, Nebraska
• What treaty allowed prospectors to access Indian land for the railroad construction?

  The 1851 Fort Laramie Treaty
• What was a significant consequence of the Pacific Railroad Act for Native Americans?

  It led to conflicts that eliminated their land rights along the route
• How much money was loaned for every mile built of the railroad?

  $16,000
• What was the loan amount for building in mountainous areas?

  $48,000 per mile
• How much land was granted for every mile of track built?

  10 square miles
• How did the Union Pacific benefit from the land grants?

  They could sell off homestead land and establish towns
• What were the national impacts of the Transcontinental Railroad?

  • Connected east and west, representing manifest destiny
  • Economic benefits for transport and trade
  • Negative effects on Native Americans
  • Increased settlement on Indian land
  • Growth in the cattle industry
  • Encouraged European immigration
  • Facilitated transport of farm produce
  • Rapid town growth around new stations
• What were the effects of the railroad on the Plains Indians?

  They were moved away from the railroads and faced conflicts
• How did the cattle industry benefit from the Transcontinental Railroad?

  Texas cattlemen could transport stock to eastern cities
• How did the railroad impact migration to the west?

  It made traveling cheaper, quicker, and easier
• What role did the railroad play in the growth of towns?

  Every new station became an important town
• What was a significant engineering achievement of the Transcontinental Railroad?

  It made transport west faster, cheaper, and easier
• What economic benefits did the Pacific Railroad Act provide?

  It offered incentives for railroad companies, cattle barons, and settlers
• How did the Transcontinental Railroad relate to the concept of manifest destiny?

  It represented the fulfillment of the belief in westward expansion
• What was a negative consequence of the Transcontinental Railroad for the Plains Indians?

  It led to increased conflict with the US Army
• What were the key points of the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862?

  • Authorized the building of the Transcontinental Railroad
  • Provided financial incentives for construction
  • Promised protection from Native American conflicts
  • Offered land grants alongside the railroad