1) What are the materials the workers used to construct the first transcontinental railroad?
2) What are the materials in the railroad?
3) What are the long-term and short-term causes of the transcontinental railroad (if there are any short-term causes)?
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http://www.generalcontractor.com/resources/articles/transcontinental-railroad.asp
This site should help you with the materials that were used.
1) The workers used different materials during the construction of the first transcontinental railroad, which connected the eastern and western coasts of the United States. The primary materials used were timber, iron, and stone. Timber was used for constructing railroad ties, bridges, and structures along the route. Iron was used to make rails, spikes, and other essential parts of the track. Stone or gravel was used for ballasting the tracks to provide stability.
To find more detailed information about the materials used, you can look up historical records, books, or publications related to the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. Online resources such as official railroad websites, historical archives, or railroad museums can also provide specific details about the materials employed during that time.
2) The materials used in modern railroads have evolved significantly since the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. Today, the primary materials in a railroad include steel for the tracks, concrete for foundations, wooden or concrete ties, and ballast made of crushed stone or gravel.
For more detailed information about the materials used in modern railroads, you can consult technical specifications from railroad companies, engineering textbooks, construction guidelines, or industry publications. Online resources like railway association websites, railroad engineering forums, or academic databases can also provide additional insights.
3) The transcontinental railroad had both long-term and short-term causes. Some long-term causes include:
a) Economic expansion: The rapid growth of the United States' economy and the need for improved transportation networks to link emerging urban centers and facilitate trade.
b) Manifest Destiny: The belief popular in the 19th century that the United States was destined to expand across the continent, which heightened the desire for a transcontinental railroad.
c) Political ambitions: The desire of political leaders to demonstrate progress, foster national unity, and gain support from key constituencies.
Short-term causes can vary depending on the context, but examples may include:
a) The California Gold Rush: The discovery of gold in California in 1848 created a massive influx of settlers, resulting in the need for faster and more efficient transportation routes to the West Coast.
b) The Civil War: The conflict between the Northern and Southern states disrupted existing transportation networks and heightened the urgency to establish a transcontinental railroad to strengthen national unity and facilitate military logistics.
To understand the long-term and short-term causes in more depth, historical books, academic articles, or online resources focusing on the history of the transcontinental railroad and the broader historical context of the time can offer comprehensive explanations.