Mining and Railroading Gold and Silver Boom, Problems with Mining, the Railroad

A Boom in Gold and Silver 1849 – Gold discovered in California 1859 – Gold and silver discovered in the Sierra Nevada's  Comstock Lode – Henry Comstock claimed a mine loaded with silver Lode – rich vein of gold or silver 1870 – Gold discovered in the Black Hills in South Dakota 1890 – Gold discovered in Alaska

Boomtowns to Ghost Towns Boomtowns – Towns that sprung up due to a discovery of gold or silver  Ex. Virginia City, Nevada Process  Miners  Traders and Merchants  Hotels and Restaurants Women – ran boardinghouses, laundries, or restaurants Ghost Town – After the gold and silver was gone, people left the area

Problems Along the Mining Frontier Pollution of Streams Deforestation Pushing out Native Americans  Ex: Sioux from the Black Hills Discrimination  Ex: Mexicans and Chinese were taxed or forced to work on others claims Large companies took over Lawlessness  Vigilantes ruled

The Railroads 1863 – race to build the first transcontinental railroad – stretches across continent from coast to coast  Union Pacific – built west  Central Pacific – built east  Federal Government – gave subsidies (financial aid or land grant) to help spur the economy Combined both railroad companies received 45 acres of land

Working on the Railroad Labor was scarce during the Civil War Used immigrants to build the railroad  Central – used Chinese  Union – used Irish  Both sides used Mexicans and African Americans Central Pacific had to cut a path through the Sierra Nevada Mountains Union Pacific had to cut through the Rockies

Promontory Point

Railroads Promote Growth The two railroads met at Promontory Point, UT on May 10, 1869 Gave the country the hope of feeling united Enabled people, supplies, and mail to go quickly Towns and Cities developed at railroad points  Ex: Seattle, San Francisco New territories applied for statehood  Nevada (1864), Colorado (1876), North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington (1889), Idaho and Wyoming (1890)

Activity Imagine you are a railroad official in Write a short speech (2 paragraphs) to celebrate the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. In your speech, explain how you think the railroad will benefit the nation.