1. 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

2. 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 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

3. 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 that includes an excellent collection of photos and illustrations, with informative captions.
Westward Expansion - Sample Video Storyboard - jb6_c_v2

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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 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

7. 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