One has to acknowledge the fact that the American narrative cannot be complete without the mention of the westward expansion experienced 1860-1890. Owing to this movement, a lot of positive change was experienced. For instance, the expansion of the railway networks, establishment of population centers, and this also resulted to advanced agricultural lands. Advancement in agriculture represented the propagation of earlier inventions. For example, the combine harvester reaper, steel plow all of which were invented in 1834, 1831 and 1837 respectively. These were accessories which made harvesting for farmers easier. Moreover, acquisition of land in regions such as Alaska and Hawaii might not have been elaborated on though it signified part of the expansion experienced. It would further be imperative to note that there were a variety of factors which aided the expansion such as: Wars, treaties, and purchases of land. The railroad expansion represents intricate part of the westward expansion.
The railroad played a significant role in stimulating transport, industrialization and agriculture, though one has to discern that it had a primary administrative role. It is evident that most settlers experienced the hostility of natives, more specifically the red Indians. Prior to any development being made it, therefore, became increasingly fundamental to establish some ground rules. Mapping out the rail tracks also required the understanding of native tribes. The settlers, therefore, established a truce and signed treaties with the Indian chiefs within their jurisdiction. The initiation of the railway in 1860 led to the formation of several small cities. These are Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York city, Brooklyn, Boston. During the same year, Railroad Networks had extended to Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York city, Brooklyn, Boston, and New Orleans. In 1863, American leaders got to discover the great value that the railroads had. This was after Unit General Chattanooga, Tennessee was under siege ( Morin, 2016 ). Shortly afterwards, President Lincoln agreed to plans seeking to send Army corps via railroad. Regardless of the short notice, up to 20000 men along with their accessories and 100 cars moved across the Railway for 1100 miles within a duration of a week ( Sequeira, Nunn & Qian, 2019 ). This is a major aspect that depicts the viability of the Railroads. Moreover, Improved Agricultural Land is a proponent that resulted from the railway since food produce could be transported across all of the cities mentioned. Also, some of the State and Territories formed during this period are: Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York city, Brooklyn, Boston, and New Orleans.
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A decade later in 1870, some additional cities emerged as the Railway was continually extending to other regions. The central posts established in the course of extending the railroad surprisingly mushroomed into small towns. As a result of the creation of these newly established towns, large populations moved to occupy them. Most of them turned to become cultural hotspots and others were molded into learning centers ( Darnall, 1972 ). Some of the new cities included, Louisville, Washington, DC, Newark, and Buffalo. Most of the cities which were served by waterways appeared to have more significant growth in terms of the people who moved there. Slowly, rail transport was becoming a part of the American identity. In addition, a noticeable additional Railroad Network during this period is a line that runs to San Francisco. This new city also accounts for the newly improved agricultural land and territory.
By 1880 some Additional new cities had emerged due to the advancement of the railway. These include: Milwaukee, St. Louis, Jersey City, Providence, and Detroit. The railroad also extended to each of the new cities. This extension spurred agricultural production leading to the emergence of highly efficient methods of production. The assembly was sustainable enough to cater for the people who were moving westward. It became necessary for the railway to connect key farming regions which were meant to supply raw materials and when this was attained more industries were developed, especially those that produced large quantities of glass, steel and other related commodities ( Sequeira, Nunn & Qian, 2019 ). Moreover, they all account for the newly established agricultural land and state territories within the United State during the same period.
In the advent of 1890 the railroad led to the establishment of other new cities such as Denver, Omaha, Kansas City, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Indianapolis. Moreover, agricultural land for production of food was established by settlers in each of the new cities. Besides, railroad networks also connected the new additional cities to the others which had been formed previously, leading to the establishment of new territories. By this time, there was no technological marvel about the establishment of the Railroad since engineers were already well accustomed with the project. The audaciousness of this endeavor was based on the massive scale of the entire project. While establishing the Pacific line almost all the equipment was transported via ship on a 17000 mile journey. A railroad fever emerged offering Chicago the title “Railroad Capital of the World” ( Darnall, 1972 ). Thus culminating to the well-established and connected railroads presently available in the country.
To sum it all up, it is evident that westward expansion of the railroad is one of the most significant American events. The period 1860-1890 when the railroad was been constructed represents an era of advancements since this project spurred various inventions. For instance, the emergence of the combine harvester reaper, steel plow all of which were invented in 1834, 1831 and 1837 respectively. These are agricultural machines which made farming easier. It is imperative to note that a lot of hostility was experienced especially during the early stages of the westward expansion, however, the initiation of treaties made work easier. Moreover, some towns thrived along the railroads leading to some of the nation`s renowned cities. It is further important to note that the entire incentive played a key role in aiding military endeavors and also unifying people from divergent regions. It would, thus be true to assert that the railroad expansion is one of the nation`s greatest identities.
References
Darnall, M. J. (1972). Innovations in American Prefabricated Housing: 1860-1890. Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians , 31 (1), 51-55.
Morin, K. M. (2016). Civic Discipline: Geography in America, 1860-1890 . Routledge.
Sequeira, S., Nunn, N., & Qian, N. (2019). Immigrants and the Making of America. Review of Economic Studies .
