Railroads and Their Impact on Expansion/Amendments That Changed American Society

First Transcontinental Railroad 1861: 4 wealthy Sacramento businessmen founded the Central Pacific RR; wanted a transcontinental railway They joined the Union Pacific RR –Raising money was difficult! –Conflicts faced with some of the tribes –Rough terrain (crossing the Sierra Nevada mountains) –HOT summers combined with severe winters

Working on the RR Most work was done by immigrants Large population of ex-soldiers and former slaves Work was strenuous and dangerous; some were killed in Native American attacks Central Pacific RR was made up of mostly Chinese workers –Paid lower wages –Targets of racism

13 th Amendment: 1865 Abolished slavery, saying specifically: Neither slavery or involuntary servitude, except in the case of punishment for a crime, shall exist within the United States

14 th Amendment: 1868 Granted citizenship to former slaves, saying specifically: No state can deny the privilege of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to a citizen

15 th Amendment: 1870 Right to vote, saying specifically: Citizens shall not be denied the right to vote on the basis of race, color, or previous servitude