Chapter 12 Section 2

Transcontinental Railroad Pacific Railway Act Provided construction of the railroad by two companies The Union Pacific Pushed the railroad construction westward from Omaha Nebraska Employed Civil War veterans, Irish immigrants, frustrated miners and farmer, cooks, ex-convicts The Central Pacific Hired about 10,000 workers from China and paid them $1.00 a day

Promontory Summit, Utah Transcontinental Railway was completed in 4 years The two railways met at Promontory Summit in Utah where 5 gold and silver spikes were dug in the ground

Railroads Spur Growth Increased the markets for many products Stimulated the economy by spending huge amounts of money on steel, coal, and timber Cornelius Vanderbilt Offered the first direct rail service between New York City and Chicago Began building Grand Central Station Time Zones Divided the country into 4 Time Zones

Robber Barons Jay Gould Railroad Owner Accused of taking bribes, swindling taxpayers, cheating on contracts and debts

The Great Northern Railroad James J Hill Built the Great Northern Railroad from Wisconsin and Minnesota to Washington Used no federal land grants or subsidies He offered low fares to settlers who lived along the route Earned money by hauling goods both east and west The only railroad company that was not forced into bankruptcy