Federal Government And The First Transcontinental Railroad's Construction

The transcontinental railroad plan had been proposed in 1820s. The Pacific Railroad bill passed the House of Representatives and the Senate in 1862. The first transcontinental railroad was built after the bill passed. The first transcontinental railroad influenced the Politics, the Economy and so on of the United States. The study includes the evolution of the transcontinental railroad plan, the policy of the federal government and so an. This article falls into three chapters:Chapter one makes an inquiry into the evolution of the transcontinental railroad plan, the attitude of the federal government. As early as in the 19th century 20's, some people proposed the transcontinental railroad plan, but as a result of geography condition, technical level, political factor limit, this plan has not been able to put into practice. Whitney plan was proposed in1845. Whitney positively impels to cause of the transcontinental railroad so that it become an important subject in Congress. Federal government debated about the plan. As a result of the local benefit conflict, this plan was failed.Chapter two studies the reason of the Pacific Railroad bill passed and the first transcontinental railroad' construction. The Civil War provided the final impetus for construction of the long-discussed railroad to the Pacific. Simultaneously, The building of the railroad was motivated in part to bind the Union together during the strife of the American Civil War. The Pacific Railroad bill passed in 1862. The transcontinental railroad was built after the bill passed. Both capital and labor were scarce during the period of the war, and in consequence progress was very slow. The Pacific Railroad bill was amended in 1864. The land grant and the bonds were doubled. In 1865, the civil war ended. The railroad construction speed up, the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869.Chapter three mainly analyzes influences of the first transcontinental railroad's construction. Federal government began to give large-scale land to railroad companies. The railroad construction started the great speed development. In the end of 19th century, five transcontinental railroads were done. Transportation network was completed. It substantially accelerated the populating of the West. Railroad companies and the army relation further strengthens in order to protect immigrates. It appeared the problem of corruption during the Cooperation of the railroad companies and the army. Government started to control railroad companies. More and more immigrations move to West, The immigration and the railroad company had the contradiction in order to capture the land. Finally, in 1871, Federal government stopped land grants.