Impact of Railroads on the Texan Economy

Who paid for building railroads in Texas?

• Texas politicians

• the United States

• private companies

• foreign governments

Which of the following is the most likely reason towns developed along railroad lines?

• Crops grow best near railroad tracks.

• Railroad tracks kept bison herds away.

• There was easy access to transportation.

• Moving trains cleaned the air and water.

Study the web. Which of the following completes the web?

• the invention of the cotton gin

• the development of the railroad

• the introduction of the automobile

• the increased price of land in Texas

How did these conditions affect businesses? "Many Texas rivers were too shallow for large steamboats to use all year. Horse-drawn coach rides were slow, hot, and dusty. The few roads in Texas that did exist were nearly impassable in wet weather. 'Railroad Boom'"

• No one wanted to settle in Texas.

• They had no effect on businesses.

• Cities could not support manufacturing.

• Businesses could not easily transport goods.

There was no immigration to Texas before railroads. "Before there were railroads connecting it to the eastern states, getting to Texas often took months of travel over dangerous and unsettled areas. ... People ran the risk of getting sick or dying during the journey. 'Immigration'"

• True

• False

Study the population graph. Which Texas city had a population of 20,000 in 1880?

• Dallas

• Galveston

• Fort Worth

• San Antonio

Study the graph. When did the amount of track miles grow the least?

• 1870

• 1880

• 1890

• 1900

Why was Texas unable to invest in railroads?

• Cities were too far apart to lay tracks.

• Leaders did not trust new technology.

• State money was used to repay loans.

• The population did not want railroads.