Final answer:
Greed influenced the construction of the transcontinental railroad through corrupt practices, labor exploitation, and land speculation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Greed played a significant role in the construction of the transcontinental railroad. As the project attracted massive investments, both the Central Pacific Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad competed fiercely to secure the most lucrative contracts and financial gains. This led to corrupt practices, such as bribery, kickbacks, and exaggerated claims, as well as the exploitation of laborers.
One example of this greed and corruption was the Credit Mobilier scandal, in which insiders of the Union Pacific Railroad formed a construction company, overcharged the railroad for their services, and pocketed the profits. This scandal not only exposed the depths of greed involved but also tarnished the reputation of the railroad industry.
Moreover, the land grants provided by the federal government to encourage the construction of the railroad were often exploited for personal gain. Speculators and land developers used their political connections to obtain valuable land grants along the railroad's path, which they then sold at inflated prices for personal profit.
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