Introduction
The transcontinental railroad was build despite opposition from the Indians. They were fighting to preserve their culture. To them the railroad meant bringing more white people to their territory. They held meetings seeking counsel to protect their land. This dispute did not stop the construction of the railroad, as it was part of the industrial revolution. The construction has been halted for a while due to the Civil war. By 1863, the Central Pacific and Union Pacific had started construction form California and Nebraska respectively.
Government contribution
The federal government funded the railroad using subsidies and land grants. The land grants attracted may immigrants who settled along the railroad. This was up to the 1870s when people were rushing to the west. They provided labor in the process and contributed to emerging cities. The government had visualized the economic opportunity presented by the railroad. Tracks construction was in miles as drafted by the construction managers. On completion of a stretch, they would move on to another town. This involved intensive labor under harsh conditions.
The growth period
The railroad opened up remote areas to civilization. This made travel easy and in turn facilitated the growth of the steel industry. The managers of railroad construction found ways to operate large-scale businesses. The railroad industry employed many people. People left their homes to follow the railroad construction to make their fortune. There were maps drawn showing how the track layout would appear. Business Barons made their fortune from railroad investments. They took advantage of the monopoly and made farmers pay high prices to transport their produce. These business barons include John Rockefeller and Andre Carnegie. They developed their businesses to be billionaires of the century.
There was a need to lay down laws that would control the exploitation of farmers by the big barons. This is after farmers revolted. Farmers developed from just growing crops for home consumption to cash crops, which they sold for money. In turn, they were able to afford consumables. Factories mushroomed as the industrial revolution took effect. These were much closer to the people as they could transport the raw materials by rail. New products were developed which led to more purchases that improved standards of living.
Conclusion
The railroad played a vital role in technology evolution. It prompted the need for more inventions in the engineering and communication industry. The railroad was the most used means of transport until automobiles were developed. In essence, it paved the way for other technological inventions. Most remote parts not accessible previously were accessible by the railroad. The railroad provided links that we’re able to move products used in production. There was the rush for gold and the oil, where barrels would be transported by rail.
It is through the railroad that managerial skills for business were developed. The railroad construction made it possible to utilize vast amounts of land that were lying fallow. Without the railroad, the path to economic growth would have been longer. Most countries face the difficulty of not being able to develop the countryside due to poor road access. These regions end up marginalized due to their inaccessibility. Most resources and products end up in areas that have proper infrastructure. It is a lesson worth learning to make all areas accessible to develop a country and improve the overall living standards of the people (Ayers et al. 12).
References
Tyson J., Wempen, F., & Prague, C. N. (2007). Office Bible. New York: Springer.
Marr, B. (2010). The Intelligent Company: Five Steps to Success with Evidence-Based Management. Mason: Cengage learning.
Stahlberg, S., & Maila, V. (2010). Shopper Marketing: How to Increase Purchase Decisions at the Point of sale. London: Kogan Page Publishers.