1. Chapter 12
Section 2

2. Transcontinental Railroad
Pacific Railway Act
Provided construction of the railroad by two companies
The Union Pacific
Pushed the railroad construction westward from Omaha Nebraska
Employed Civil War veterans, Irish immigrants, frustrated miners and farmer, cooks, ex-convicts
The Central Pacific
Hired about 10,000 workers from China and paid them $1.00 a day

3. Promontory Summit, Utah
Transcontinental Railway was completed in 4 years
The two railways met at Promontory Summit in Utah where 5 gold and silver spikes were dug in the ground

4. Railroads Spur Growth Increased the markets for many products
Stimulated the economy by spending huge amounts of money on steel, coal, and timber
Cornelius Vanderbilt
Offered the first direct rail service between New York City and Chicago
Began building Grand Central Station
Time Zones
Divided the country into 4 Time Zones

5. Robber Barons Jay Gould Railroad Owner
Accused of taking bribes, swindling taxpayers, cheating on contracts and debts

6. The Great Northern Railroad
James J Hill
Built the Great Northern Railroad from Wisconsin and Minnesota to Washington
Used no federal land grants or subsidies
He offered low fares to settlers who lived along the route
Earned money by hauling goods both east and west
The only railroad company that was not forced into bankruptcy