RECONSTRUCTION 1865 1877
TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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The Union Pacific Railway company
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The Central Pacific Railway company
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Congress
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None of the above
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Detailed explanation-1: -The rail line was built by three private companies over public lands provided by extensive US land grants. Building was financed by both state and US government subsidy bonds as well as by company issued mortgage bonds.
Detailed explanation-2: -The Transcontinental Railroad was built by many thousands of workers from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, which created a blend of people that continues to define the nation to this day. One of the groups that literally took on the brunt of the work, were the Chinese laborers.
Detailed explanation-3: -Authorizing the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific railroad companies to construct the lines, the legislation provided government bonds to help fund the work, in addition to vast land grants.
Detailed explanation-4: -By one estimate, the project cost roughly $60 million, about $1.2 billion in today’s money, though other sources put the amount even higher. While the railroad’s construction was a mammoth undertaking, its effects on the country were equally profound.