Transcontinental Railroad / RI 5.3

Which of the following was NOT an effect of the Transcontinental Railroad?

• people had another option for travel in addition to walking, using animals, or traveling by ship

• Dangerous conditions existed for those working on the railroad.

• Many Chinese immigrants died during the construction of the railroad.

• Progress was much slower compared to our modern fast-paced society.

What role did Theodore Judah play in developing the Transcontinental Railroad? Choose the answer(s) that provide(s) the BEST evidence from the text to describe his role? More than one answer may apply.

• "He was an engineer who dreamed of building a railroad across the US in the 1850s."

• "Judah was in the process of constructing railroads in the West."

• "Judah recruited some investors to pay for the construction of the railroad."

• "There were already railroads between cities on the East Coast."

Choose the answer below that accurately states the most significant impact of the Transcontinental Railroad.

• "Its completion improved the transportation of goods and people between the East Coast and the West Coast. For the first time, the country truly felt united."

• "Many Chinese came to California seeking their fortunes during the Gold Rush of 1849. Many went on to work on the railroad."

• "They (the "Big Four") provided the money to create the Central Pacific Railroad Company. Construction on the Transcontinental Railroad began in 1863."

• "However, there was a time in our nation's history when the train was the best, new technology."

What part did the "Big Four" play in the building of the Transcontinental Railroad? Choose the best answer.

• They helped provide railroads between cities on the East Coast.

• Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins, Charles Crocker, and Collis Huntington were nicknamed the "Big Four."

• They started the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, which began in 1863.

• They provided the money to create the Central Pacific Railroad Company.

What positive effect did nitroglycerin have on the construction of the railroad?

• "It helped clear rocks and make passes through the mountains."

• "Glass containers of the explosive liquid had to be kept absolutely still to prevent them from exploding at the wrong time."

• "It was unstable and created dangerous conditions."

• "The job of handling the crates filled with the hazardous fluid was given to Chinese immigrants.

Based on information stated in the text about the effects of the Transcontinental Railroad, which of the following would be the LEAST likely to occur as a result of the construction of the railroad?

In other words, which is the least probable conclusion based on the text?

• Cities began to be built along the vast middle of the country because transportation now joined the country.

• Many goods were able to be transported across the country now that transportation joined the East and the West.

• People, especially those who may not have considered traveling across the United States prior to the completion of the transcontinental railroad, began to travel because of improved transportation.

• Many of the Chinese immigrants continued to work for the railroad.