Growth of the Railroad Industry Immigration, Industrialization, Urbanization Unit

Do Now How do you think an increase in transportation leads to an increase in manufacturing and production?

Development of the railroads 1850 Railroads in the United States

By the1860’s the railroads had expanded 1863 Two companies competed to build the first transcontinental railroad The Union Pacific Railroad started building westward from Omaha, Nebraska The Central Pacific Railroad started building eastward from Sacramento, California

Transcontinental Railroad Central Pacific Railroad (Chinese immigrants) and Union Pacific Railroad (Irish immigrants) Meet at Promontory Point, Utah in 1869 Casualties – 2,000 dead; 20,000 injured Pay – Approx. $50.00/month (Irish); Approx. $ 35.00/month (Chinese) Railroad lines now connect the Atlantic and Pacific

New Technology Bessemer Process Standard Gauge Reduced the impurities of steel Made the production of steel cheaper and faster Standard Gauge Common distance b/w the rails of a railroad track Steel allows the US to build bigger trains and lay more track

Inventors and New Railroad Technology George Westinghouse- air brakes that improved the system for putting the trains to a halt, which made the trains themselves much safer. Gustavus Swift- refrigerated cars helped railroads to ship meat, and other perishable goods over long distances. George M. Pullman- the Pullman sleeping car- a luxury railway car with seats that converted into beds for overnight journeys. Pullman also made improved dining cars, raising train travel to a new level of comfort.

Railroad Transform the Nation’s Economy Railroads transported raw materials- iron, coal, timber steel… these industries BOOMED! The mining industry increased and farmers were able to ship products across the country all year long machines sent to farmers for faster jobs (tractors)

Growth of Industries Lumber industry- The industry boomed as lumber was needed for RR ties as well as for buildings in the new towns across the country.

Growth of Industries Coal industry- Provided fuel for locomotives and heat for homes. This industry had incredible growth.

Consolidation of railroads Smaller lines were often costly to run Railroad Barons emerge as larger companies buy up the smaller ones An 1870 cartoon shows Cornelius Vanderbilt straddling two railroads he consolidated and racing Jim Fisk of the Erie Railroad.

Effects of the Railroad Creation of a standard time zone (1883) Creation of the Pullman Car – Luxury sleeping car Establish new markets and towns 35,000 miles of track in 1835; 193,000 miles by 1900 Support from the gov’t and corruption from the railroad industry Railroads become the # 1 industry in America

Advantages/Disadvantages Write 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of the expansion of the railroad Make sure to include who these advantages and disadvantages affected