American Pageant Chapter 24
AP United States History – Chapter 24 Essay
1. In what ways did the railroad construction between 1865 and1890 transform American society and the American economy?
2. In what ways did American industrialists consolidate their businesses and eliminate competition? How was this business consolidation perceived by the public?
3. In what ways did the American government promote the growth of the American economy in post bellum America? To what extent did they regulate business activity?
Between 1865 and 1890, many railroads were constructed, including the Union Pacific Railroad, the Central Pacific Railroad, and the Northern Pacific, Atchison, Topeka, Santa Fe, and Southern Pacific Railroads. These railroads combined became known as the Transcontinental Railroad. The construction of these railroads had a great impact on American society and the economy. America finally became united in a physical sense and the railroad lines created a large market for American raw materials and goods to travel around the country. This increased nationalism and benefited the American economy because Americans were able to become more dependent on goods made in their home country than those made outside of America. The flourishing economy in the late nineteenth century attracted many domestic and foreign investors and business people looking to become a part of the American dream. Most of all, the transcontinental railroad sparked industrialization in post-bellum America. New markets were now able to be reached and raw materials could be delivered to factories faster than ever before. The railroad stimulated mining and farming, allowing farmers to ride out to their land in the West to harvest their crops and then quickly and easily take their crops to market. Railways supported growth in cities and attracted European immigrants to America. Americans divided the country into time zones because of the railways; therefore, we now have an accurate and consistent way of
1. In what ways did the railroad construction between 1865 and1890 transform American society and the American economy?
2. In what ways did American industrialists consolidate their businesses and eliminate competition? How was this business consolidation perceived by the public?
3. In what ways did the American government promote the growth of the American economy in post bellum America? To what extent did they regulate business activity?
Between 1865 and 1890, many railroads were constructed, including the Union Pacific Railroad, the Central Pacific Railroad, and the Northern Pacific, Atchison, Topeka, Santa Fe, and Southern Pacific Railroads. These railroads combined became known as the Transcontinental Railroad. The construction of these railroads had a great impact on American society and the economy. America finally became united in a physical sense and the railroad lines created a large market for American raw materials and goods to travel around the country. This increased nationalism and benefited the American economy because Americans were able to become more dependent on goods made in their home country than those made outside of America. The flourishing economy in the late nineteenth century attracted many domestic and foreign investors and business people looking to become a part of the American dream. Most of all, the transcontinental railroad sparked industrialization in post-bellum America. New markets were now able to be reached and raw materials could be delivered to factories faster than ever before. The railroad stimulated mining and farming, allowing farmers to ride out to their land in the West to harvest their crops and then quickly and easily take their crops to market. Railways supported growth in cities and attracted European immigrants to America. Americans divided the country into time zones because of the railways; therefore, we now have an accurate and consistent way of