Final answer:
The First Transcontinental Railroad was built to connect the East and West coasts, thereby raising the value of government lands and facilitating economic development. It spurred industrial expansion, immigration, and shaped the U.S. into an industrialized nation. The railroad served as a crucial infrastructure that benefited travel, commerce, and national unity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Purpose and Impact of Building the Transcontinental Railroad
The completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 was a monumental event that revolutionized the United States in both transportation and economic development. The primary purpose behind building the railroad was to connect the West Coast with the East Coast and the Great Plains, which would make the vast lands owned by the government more valuable. Prior to the completion of the railroad, these lands had little commercial value and were difficult to give away; however, with the advent of the railroad, these lands suddenly increased in appeal and could generate significant revenue through sales rather than homestead giveaways.
More than just providing a means to increase land value, the railroad significantly altered the American industry. It fueled an industrial expansion post-Civil War, which included breakthroughs like steel manufacturing, the invention of the telephone, and the light bulb. The railroad network allowed for the vast mineral resources of the Western states to be transported, supporting industrial factories and stimulating economic growth. Additionally, the period witnessed a surge in immigration, with fourteen million immigrants moving to the U.S. by the end of the century to work in new industrial positions, which marked a shift from rural to urban living and the rise of labor unions.
The Transcontinental Railroad not only made it easier to travel across the country, reducing the journey from many months to just one week, but it also became a catalyst for America's burgeoning status as a world power by aiding the internal destruction of Native American societies, ending formal slavery, and welcoming immigrants to contribute to the nation's growth. The railroad was a significant achievement of the industrial revolution and played a pivotal role in establishing the United States as a unified, powerful, and increasingly industrialized country.