1. Railroads Transform the Nation

2. Consider This... We can tell what time it is simply by looking at a clock, watch, or our cell phones, but... How do we know what time it is in San Francisco, California and why is that significant?

3. Why Build the Railroad? Encourage western settlements Western economies would benefit Western areas would have a greater hand in government

4. Union Pacific Central Pacific

5. Building Begins Two companies given the job of completing the railroad Central Pacific Union Pacific Both faced issues in paying for the completion of the job

6. Who worked on the Rails? Most of the laborers were minority groups Irish Chinese Former Slaves Native Americans

7. Completion of the Rails Process took around 6 years Finished May 10, 1869 Promontory Point, Utah The last spike was gold to commemorate the event The east and west are joined together

9. Think about these... How did the Transcontinental Railroad transform the west? What lasting effects are around from the railroad? Why do we have time zones today?