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Transcontinental Railroad

Page history last edited by Kati Searcy 10 years, 5 months ago

Source:  wikimedia commons 

 

 

Step One:  Read This    

 

The first transcontinental railroad was completed on May 10, 1869 in Promontory Summit, Utah, connecting the eastern half and western half of the United States.  The railroad took decades to complete and was supported by the government.  Irish laborers and Mormons worked on the Union Pacific line, and Chinese laborers worked on the Central Pacific line.  Railroads not only employed people to build the railroad, they also employed people such as blacksmiths, carpenters, engineers, surveyors, telegraphers, and cooks.  Workers were paid anywhere from $1 - $3 a day, except for the Chinese workers (who later went on strike and received a small increase in pay).  The transcontinental rrailroad is considered on of the greatest technological advances of the 1800's and had a significant impact on populating the west.  It provided a link for trade and travel.  It put an end to wagon trains, the Pony Express, and the stage coach.  It greatly contributed to the decline of the Plains Native American culture. 

 

Step Two:  Team Activities

 

The three members of your team will each be responsible for one of these activities.  You may decide amongst yourself who will do which activity.  You will be given two hours to complete this step.

 

1.  Using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast the Mormon and Chinese railroad workers.

2.  Imagine you are one of the Chinese immigrants working on the railroad.  Write a letter to your family describing your experience.  Include a picture so that they can see what your are going through.

3.  Give an oral and visual report detailing the celebration at Promontory Point.

 

Step Three:  Evaluation

 

Use the rubric to score yourself; then give the completed rubric to your teacher.

 

 

 

 

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