Railroads and the Growth of the West

The construction of the transcontinental railroad was one of the most significant events in the expansion and consolidation of the United States. By connecting the East Coast to the West Coast by rail, the railroad transformed the economy, accelerated settlement, and had devastating consequences for the Plains Indians. This is a key topic in the AQA GCSE History specification.

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Why Was a Transcontinental Railroad Needed?

Before the railroad, travelling from the East Coast to the West Coast of America was slow, dangerous, and expensive. The overland trail took 4–6 months, and the sea route around Cape Horn took even longer.