APUSH APUSH Period 6 1865 1898 The Transcontinental Railroad and Federal Land Grants

Why This Matters

The Transcontinental Railroad and Federal Land Grants are crucial topics in understanding the expansion of the United States during the mid-to-late 19th century. This period, marked by rapid westward expansion, saw the federal government play a significant role in shaping the country's geography, economy, and identity. The construction of the Transcontinental Railroad and the granting of federal land to railroads and settlers exemplify the federal government's efforts to facilitate westward expansion, which in turn contributed to the growth of the United States as a continental power. This topic is significant for understanding the AP theme of Migration and Settlement, as it highlights the government's role in shaping the country's physical landscape and the experiences of those who settled in the West.

Key Events & People

• The Homestead Act (1862): This law allowed settlers to claim up to 160 acres of land for free, provided they lived on it and farmed it for five years. It was a key factor in the westward expansion of the United States.
• The Pacific Railroad Act (1862): This law granted the Union Pacific Railroad and the Central Pacific Railroad federal land and funding to build the Transcontinental Railroad, which connected the East and West coasts of the United States.
• Leland Stanford (1824-1893): A lawyer and politician who played a key role in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, serving as the president of the Central Pacific Railroad.
• Jay Gould (1836-1892): A financier and railroad magnate who played a key role in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, serving as the president of the Union Pacific Railroad.
• Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865): The 16th President of the United States, who signed the Pacific Railroad Act and the Homestead Act, both of which facilitated westward expansion.
• Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885): The 18th President of the United States, who signed the Pacific Railroad Act and supported the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.
• The Golden Spike Ceremony (May 10, 1869): The ceremonial completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, marking the connection of the East and West coasts of the United States.
• The Sioux Wars (1854-1898): A series of conflicts between the United States government and the Sioux Nation, which were sparked by the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad and the expansion of white settlement into Sioux territory.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The federal government's desire to expand the United States and facilitate westward migration.
• Effect: The construction of the Transcontinental Railroad and the granting of federal land to railroads and settlers.

• Long-term consequence: The growth of the United States as a continental power, with a significant increase in population, economic activity, and territorial expansion.

• Cause: The construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.

• Effect: The displacement of Native American tribes, including the Sioux, from their ancestral lands.

• Long-term consequence: The loss of land and cultural heritage for Native American tribes, as well as ongoing conflicts between the United States government and Native American communities.

• Cause: The granting of federal land to railroads and settlers.

• Effect: The expansion of white settlement into the American West, leading to conflicts with Native American tribes and the displacement of indigenous peoples.
• Long-term consequence: The transformation of the American West into a predominantly white, agricultural region, with significant economic and cultural implications.

Essential Vocabulary

• Transcontinental Railroad: A railroad that connects the East and West coasts of the United States, completed in 1869.
• Homestead Act: A law that allowed settlers to claim up to 160 acres of land for free, provided they lived on it and farmed it for five years.
• Pacific Railroad Act: A law that granted the Union Pacific Railroad and the Central Pacific Railroad federal land and funding to build the Transcontinental Railroad.
• Federal Land Grant: A grant of land from the federal government to railroads and settlers, which facilitated westward expansion.
• Manifest Destiny: The idea that the United States was destined to expand its territory across North America, which was used to justify westward expansion.
• Westward Expansion: The movement of white settlers into the American West, which was facilitated by the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad and the granting of federal land.
• Native American Removal: The forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands, which was a consequence of westward expansion.
• Gilded Age: A period of rapid economic growth and industrialization in the United States, which was marked by significant social and economic inequality.
• Land Run: A process in which settlers would rush to claim land that had been opened up for settlement, often resulting in conflicts with Native American tribes.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1863, rather than 1869.
• Correction: The Transcontinental Railroad was completed on May 10, 1869, when the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads met at Promontory Summit, Utah.
• What students often get wrong: The Homestead Act was passed in 1850, rather than 1862.
• Correction: The Homestead Act was passed on May 20, 1862, as part of the Homestead Act of 1862.
• What students often get wrong: The Pacific Railroad Act was passed in 1861, rather than 1862.
• Correction: The Pacific Railroad Act was passed on July 1, 1862, as part of the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Document-Based Question (DBQ) Prompt: Analyze the role of the federal government in facilitating westward expansion during the mid-to-late 19th century. Use the following documents to support your argument:
  • The Pacific Railroad Act of 1862
  • The Homestead Act of 1862
  • The Golden Spike Ceremony (May 10, 1869)
  • A speech by Abraham Lincoln on the importance of westward expansion
• Long Essay Question (LEQ) Prompt: How did the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad and the granting of federal land to railroads and settlers contribute to the growth of the United States as a continental power? Use specific examples and evidence to support your argument.

Quick Self-Check

1. What was the name of the law that allowed settlers to claim up to 160 acres of land for free, provided they lived on it and farmed it for five years?
   • Correct answer: The Homestead Act
   • Explanation: The Homestead Act was a law passed in 1862 that allowed settlers to claim up to 160 acres of land for free, provided they lived on it and farmed it for five years.
2. Who was the president of the Central Pacific Railroad, which played a key role in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad?
   • Correct answer: Leland Stanford
   • Explanation: Leland Stanford was a lawyer and politician who served as the president of the Central Pacific Railroad and played a key role in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.
3. What was the name of the ceremony that marked the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad?
   • Correct answer: The Golden Spike Ceremony
   • Explanation: The Golden Spike Ceremony was held on May 10, 1869, to mark the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• ⚠️ The Transcontinental Railroad was completed on May 10, 1869.
• ⚠️ The Homestead Act was passed on May 20, 1862.
• ⚠️ The Pacific Railroad Act was passed on July 1, 1862.
• ⚠️ Leland Stanford was the president of the Central Pacific Railroad.
• ⚠️ Jay Gould was the president of the Union Pacific Railroad.
• ⚠️ The Golden Spike Ceremony marked the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.
• ⚠️ The Sioux Wars were a series of conflicts between the United States government and the Sioux Nation.
• ⚠️ The Transcontinental Railroad was a key factor in the growth of the United States as a continental power.
• ⚠️ The Homestead Act facilitated westward expansion by allowing settlers to claim land for free.
• ⚠️ The Pacific Railroad Act granted the Union Pacific Railroad and the Central Pacific Railroad federal land and funding to build the Transcontinental Railroad.