Sample PowerPoint Video Storyboard: Westward Expansion and Western Railroad Building Why were the railroads built – who would they serve? How were the railroads built – who supplied the labor and who supplied the money? What was the impact of the railroad on western expansion and development of the country? After narrator reads the script, insert the sound of a train whistle. Westward Expansion - Sample Video Storyboard - jb6_c_v2

Why were the railroads built? Farmers and cattle ranchers could more easily get their crops and meat to the markets on the east coast and in the south Farmers cattle ranchers, miners, and homesteaders could more easily get needed supplies Country’s economy would benefit Narrator 1 reads the bullet points. Narrator 2 gives examples of products farmers grew and would be transported to other parts of the country. Play sound of railroad chugging along the tracks. Use the “Links to Related Railroad, Photography & History Websites”, Central Pacific Railroad Organization http://cprr.org/Museum/Links.html which includes an extensive list of links to other railroad sites on the Internet including early railroad posters, photos, maps, and documents. Westward Expansion - Sample Video Storyboard - jb6_c_v2

How were the railroads built? The railroads needed money, engineering knowledge, creative technological solutions to challenging problems, and the labor skills of many men Use the “Central Pacific Railroad, Photographic History Museum”, Central Pacific Railroad Organization http://cprr.org/ that includes an excellent collection of photos and illustrations, with informative captions. Westward Expansion - Sample Video Storyboard - jb6_c_v2

Labor Skills Too few white or black native-born Americans were willing to work on building the railroad The Union Pacific Railroad hired many European immigrants, especially the Irish The Central Pacific Railroad hired Mexicans, Irish, Paiute Indians, and Chinese Over 12,000 Chinese worked to get the railroad through the Sierra Mountains Westward Expansion - Sample Video Storyboard - jb6_c_v2

How the Hired Railroad Labor Was Treated Poor working conditions Long hours Many injured and lives lost Westward Expansion - Sample Video Storyboard - jb6_c_v2

Transcontinental Railroad The Union Pacific Railroad built west from Nebraska The Central Pacific Railroad built east from California The two railroads met at Promontory Point, Utah – May 10, 1869 Insert the sound of the driving of a metal stake to replicate Leland Stanford’s driving in the final ceremonial golden stake with a silver hammer. Use the “Photo Gallery”, Union Pacific Railroad http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/photos/ to obtain photos of laying the rails in the 1860’s and 1870’s, including the Promontory Celebration. Westward Expansion - Sample Video Storyboard - jb6_c_v2

Credits Director – Jose Gonzales Writer – Thai Nguyen Cinematographer – Melissa Smith Narrator 1 – Jackson O’Neill Narrator 2 – Thai Nguyen Filmed on location at: Special Thanks to our teacher