What key elements affected the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad?

Summary

This site incorporates essential topics relating to the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. It examines the people involved with the planning and construction of the railroad that connected the western states with the East.  Students will take away a better understanding of the need for such a means of transportation at that time in California history. Students will also explore the hardships of crossing the Sierra Nevadas and Great Basin by rail. At the time of the Industrial Revolution, these challenges  seemed possible to overcome in a time of rapidly expanding technology.

Rationale

To focus on a significant time in California history that demonstrated the impact of the Industrial Revolution in the West, ultimately leading to the prominence of California during the post-Mexican era.  To examine Theodore Judah’s legacy on modern-day California’s status in the world. To revisit the contributions of the Chinese laborers during the rail’s construction.