1. Warm Up – Primary Source Analysis 1) What background knowledge can you list regarding railroads in America? 2) What do you notice about the railroad system in America in 1900?

2. RAILROADS AND AMERICA

3. How did Railroads Link the Nation? Pacific Railway Act was create to connect Omaha to Sacramento 2 companies given right to build- Union Pacific/ Central Pacific Creation was a race – each mile of track = $$ and land

4. Turn & Talk: 1) What does this map tell us? 2) Why do you think the blue line laid more track?

5. Irish working on U.P. & Chinese working on C.P. Both groups were ostracized in cities

6. What kind of challenges did they face Union Pacific (heading west from Omaha) – Scorching temps & Natives Central Pacific (heading east from Sacramento) – Mountains were in the way

7. Federal Land Grants Meant to encourage construction Gave land to rail companies Sold land – use $$ for more rails

8. Railroads were Big Business Nation’s 1 st big business Lots of employees, large cost/profit ***1 st American industry to have Gov’t Regulation, Labor Unions, Pensions etc.***

9. Why are the railroads so important? Expansion and Connection New markets for goods = industrial growth New industries (Florida tourism) Travel Time Time Zones (safety)

10. Who were the Robber Barons? Wealthy people who took advantage of American government policies Land grants / Bribery of Congress Big $$$$ Jay Gould & Cornelius Vanderbilt

12. What was the Credit Mobilier Scandal? Credit Mobilier construction company created by Union Pacific They hired & overpaid themselves to build their own railroad Congress given chance to buy shares of the company below market value Led to investigation of Congress, losses for investors and distrust of politicians

13. Promontory Point

14. Transcontinental Video I will be stopping the video to discuss some of the key points so be ready to be called on. While you are watching: You need to create an Annotated timeline highlighting the key events of the film. A short quiz will follow the exam ****There will be questions from this video on the exam so be sure to watch and pay attention****