Railroad Expansion In the late 1800s the railroads

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Railroad Expansion • In the late 1800’s the railroads became the driving force behind

Railroad Expansion • In the late 1800’s the railroads became the driving force behind America’s economic and industrial growth • 1 st trans RR - 1869 • Consolidation • Several powerful men known as Railroad Barons had control of RR system

Railroad Barons • Powerful individuals who controlled RR’s and made lots of money •

Railroad Barons • Powerful individuals who controlled RR’s and made lots of money • Aggressive, risk takers • Gave money away later in life • Cornelius Vanderbilt • Leland Stanford - Central Pacific • No laws regulating RR industry – ruthless methods

Railroads Stimulate the Economy • Created economic links • Carried raw materials to factories;

Railroads Stimulate the Economy • Created economic links • Carried raw materials to factories; and manufactured goods & farm products to markets • Stimulated iron, steel, lumber & coal industries • Created thousands of jobs

Improving the Railroads • RR lines across the country used different gauges, or widths,

Improving the Railroads • RR lines across the country used different gauges, or widths, so trains could not change lines causing gaps in service • By late 1800’s most had adopted a standard gauge allowing faster & cheaper shipment of goods • Tracks built with iron but then upgraded to steel

Railroad Technology • George Westinghouse devised air brakes • Eli Janney made it easier

Railroad Technology • George Westinghouse devised air brakes • Eli Janney made it easier to connect RR cars • Gustavus Swift developed refrigerator cars • George Pullman devised a sleeping car (luxury)

Competing for Customers • 2 kinds-passengers and businesses • Most money from businesses •

Competing for Customers • 2 kinds-passengers and businesses • Most money from businesses • Rebates-secret discounts to customers • Pools-secret agreements between big RR companies • Force smaller RR out • Govn’t tried to stop by passing some laws

Railroads change America • Growth of industry in the West • Flour milling to

Railroads change America • Growth of industry in the West • Flour milling to Great Plains • Ag equipment to Midwest • Beef production –Chicago • RR caused shift in population from east to west; rural areas to cites

Time Zones • People travel more • Concerned with hours rather than miles •

Time Zones • People travel more • Concerned with hours rather than miles • Regions of country were united • 4 time zones in the continental USA created • Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific

Questions • How did the RR change life for farmers and ranchers? • How

Questions • How did the RR change life for farmers and ranchers? • How did the RR change industry in the USA? • How did the RR unite the USA? • Which change in RR’s was the most important?

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