A State of Growth Essential Question How did Washington’s economy and population change in the era following statehood?

Exploring a Northern Route - Questions Answer these questions before taking your notes. Which important Washington Territory politician was asked to explore routes for the railroad through the Cascades? Where did the government decided to go with the first Transcontinental train route? When was the transcontinental railroad completed? Which rail line connected Washington to the transcontinental system and when did this happen?

Exploring a Northern Route The U.S. government wanted a railroad that connected the East to the West. Isaac Stevens was asked to explore routes for the railroad through the Cascades. He found at least two possible routes. But the government decided to go with a route farther south. The transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869. The Northern Pacific rail line connected Washington to the transcontinental system in 1883. The North Pacific Railroad had a huge influence on the settlement and economic development of Washington.

Land Grants, Loans, and Labor Thousands of workers, many supplies, and a lot of money were needed to build railroads. Many immigrants came from Europe and China to work on the railroads. The federal government helped fund construction costs through loans and land grants. The federal government gave land in the West to farmers, ranchers, timber companies, and railroads. Government assistance made construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad possible.

The Great Northern Railroad The Great Northern was the sixth transcontinental railroad. James Hill was the president of the railroad. He created a railroad empire by using his money wisely and promoting his railroad effectively. Hill’s railroad fueled the economic growth of the Northwest. Hill added to his empire by purchasing the Northern Pacific, his biggest competitor.

Early Immigration Some of the first immigrants to Washington came from Hawaii, Ireland, China, and Japan. Hawaiian men came to work for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Irish immigrants settled first in Walla Walla. They came to America to escape Ireland’s potato famine. Chinese and Japanese men came to work in mines and to help build railroads.

Railroads Boost Immigration To earn money, railroad companies sold excess land to Europeans and other foreigners. By 1910, immigrants and their children made up 46 percent of Washington’s population. Scandinavian immigrants were drawn to the Puget Sound because the climate and physical features reminded them of home. Poulsbo became known as “Little Norway” by the early 1900s. German farmers established small settlements across the Palouse and Big Bend regions. Many Italian immigrants worked on the railroad. Many also worked as skilled stonemasons and farmers.

Anger Over Immigration Some native-born citizens disliked the flood of immigration. They feared immigrants would take jobs from Americans and would never adopt the American culture and customs. Anti-immigration laws targeted Chinese and Japanese immigrants. Chinese Exclusion Act banned Chinese laborers from entering the country Gentlemen’s Agreement limited the number of Japanese immigrants coming to the United States Other laws established immigration quotas that slowed immigration from southern and eastern Europe.

Urbanization From 1880 to 1910, the Northwest saw a rapid growth of cities. Most of the urban growth was found in Portland, Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane. Cities sprang up along train routes, train stations, and seaports. Seattle and Tacoma both wanted train stations. Tacoma was chosen for a railroad terminal and boomed with growth in the 1800s. An economic slump in the 1890s in Tacoma allowed Seattle to become the largest city in the state.

Urbanization (continued) Two train stations were built in Seattle sparking major growth for the city. The Klondike Gold Rush in Canada added to Seattle’s tremendous growth. Many hopeful miners stopped in Seattle for supplies on their way to Canada. Spokane grew after the Northern Pacific and Great Northern railroad lines came through. The discovery of silver in neighboring Idaho added to Spokane’s growth.

Questions What are two basic ways the railroads affected growth in Washington State? What countries or areas of the world did immigrants travel from who came to Washington Territory/State? Why might people have left those places to risk a hard life and discrimination in Washington Territory/State? Which groups were most targeted by government policies? Why might these groups have been so specifically targeted? What factors helped Tacoma, Seattle and Spokane grow as population centers for our state?