The Age of the American Railroad

When did the railroad become a national phenomenon? May 10, 1869 The Transcontinental Railroad Completed at Promontory Point, Utah

What was the reality of the railroad? Cheap labor Chinese, Irish, and Confederate veterans are hired to work on the railroads Casualties 2,000 men die and 20,000 men are injured in railroad construction ANNUALLY Racism Average wages and hours Minorities…$35/month & 80 hours/week Whites…$45/month & 50 hours/week

What did railroads do to time? Railroad Time 1883 the U.S. adopts 4 time zones 24 times zones are then created for the world Each time zone is 15 degrees latitude wide Standard Time 1919 adopted world wide…still in use today

How did railroads change the U.S.? New towns Businesses pop up alongside the tracks and soon become towns, then cities, then megalopolises Examples: Minneapolis, Seattle, and Denver Opportunity Track side stands grow into massive businesses and create some of America’s massively wealthy citizens

What types of problems did railroads encounter? Corruption Overcharging Farmers are overcharged (it cost more to ship good from Chicago to Detroit that from London to New York) Credit Mobilizer Company that raises railroad ticket prices and profits off hikes Granger Laws Attempt to end railroad discrimination and abuse Munn vs. Illinois uphold these laws and help to bring railroads down Interstate Commerce Act 1887 Limited and regulated railroad business practices Panic of 1893 Economic depression that also demonstrates the power and influence of the railroad big business