The Railroad Industry in Texas

What was an effect of the growth of railroads in Texas?

• Land became less valuable when more of it could be reached

• Railroad companies cooperated to prevent corruption

• Ranchers and farmers found it easier to ship their cattle, cotton, and other agriculture

• Railroads allowed for slaves to be shipped more efficiently

How did the state legislature help expand railroad construction in Texas?

• They raised taxes to make sure the people of the state participated in ownership

• They increased the price of land to make more money off of the railroad companies

• They issued bonds so the public could participate in railroad ownership

• They gave away free land with land grants to railroad companies

On May 10, 1869, in the city of Promontory, Utah, the last railroad spike—a thin, pointed piece of metal—was driven into the ground...

This statement refers to the Transcontinental Railroad. Railroads enabled farmers and ranchers to transport goods:

• Faster

• To new markets around the state and the US

• All of the above

• Cheaper

What were the defining characteristics of the era of cotton, cattle, and railroads in Texas History?

• The city of Galveston was destroyed by a hurricane; oil was discovered in East Texas; new poll taxes restricted voting; Houston Ship Channel was constructed.

• Unemployment rose; dust storms blew across the Great Plains; Mexican immigrants were sent to Mexico; New Deal programs helped cotton farmers.

• Cattle were herded across the open range to railheads in Kansas; cities grew; new railroads came; cotton was grown and shipped to the North; new universities opened.

• Texas voted to secede from the Union; Texas fought in a divisive war; slavery was abolished; freedmen obtained the right to vote.

-Industry, expansion of railroads, & commercial farming create a demand for new products

-New Industries emerge such as lumber, coal, & mineral industries

-Industry growth creates a new working class in Texas

Which of the following is the best effect for the above events?

• most factories and industries were located far from natural resources

• with new industries and improved transportation, some Texas cities experienced dramatic population growth.

• people moved from cities to rural areas to look for better jobs

• the lumber industry destroyed many acres of forest

What contributed to the rapid industrialization of the United States?

• Annexation of Texas

• Railroad Boom

• Cattle Kingdom

• Computer Technology

Which industries improved the economy of Texas after the Civil War?

• Oil

• Cattle, Cotton and Railroad industries

• Cattle

• Petrochemical

Trail driving was-

• hard work

• not popular in South Texas

• easy and safe

• done only by Tejanos

Contribution of Railroads to Economic development of Texas:

1. Provided many new jobs related to construction and maintenance of railroads

2. Provided many shipping possibilities for farmers and ranchers

3. Led to growth of towns and cities along the rail lines

Which of the following can be added to the chart above?

• bypassed some cities

• replaced by trucks and airplanes

• destroyed natural habitat of wildlife

• connected Texas more easily to other parts of the country

How did Texas encourage rail companies to work in the state?

• The state promised that they would not have to pay taxes.

• The state worked with the companies equally and fairly.

• The state offered land grants to give them land for their work.

• The state gave free education and housing for the employees.