Rural America - Railroads

Prior to transcontinental railroads, what was the main way to travel west to California?

• Railroads

• Walking / Wagons

• Airplanes

• Sailing

• Driving

Prior to the construction of transcontinental railroads, it took ​ (a)   to reach California. After the construction, it took only ​ (b)   .

• months
• days

In what ways were railroads superior to previous transportation west?

• Faster

• Safer

• Cheaper

• Less conflict with indigenous people

How did the US government encourage railroad companies to make the huge investment of money to build a transcontinental railroad?

• Used subsidies to lessen the cost to the train companies

• Passed laws requiring train companies to build to California

• The government build the train lines themselves

• Nothing at all. The companies made the investment on their own

Which of the following were an impact of the construction of transcontinental railroads?

• Faster Transportation

• More Americans moved west

• Bigger US economy

• Easier communication for government

Which groups were responsible for most of the construction of the transcontinental railroads?

• Black

• Irish

• Chinese

• German

• Former Civil War soldiers

Which of the following were challenges faced during construction of the railroads?

• Prejudice against workers

• Physical danger from terrain

• Physical danger from explosives

• Attacks from enemy soldiers

Reorder the following

• Railroads constructed west

• American economy grew rapidly

• Travel west was slow and difficult

• Many Americans moved west