The Changing Nation Part 1 Transcontinental Railroad There was no way to cross the US in the 1850s, except by stagecoach or sailing around South America or through Central America. The best way to link the East and the West was to build a railroad across the continent - transcontinental railroad The UNION PACIFIC RR and the CENTRAL PACIFIC RR raced against each other. The CENTRAL PACIFIC built tracks going east from Sacramento, California The UNION PACIFIC built track west from Omaha, Nebraska EAST WEST The UNION PACIFIC had an advantage building across the flat plains of Nebraska. The CENTRAL PACIFIC had a difficult job building through the rough Sierra Nevada Mountains in CA. On May 10, 1869, the tracks of the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific met at Promontory Point, Utah Territory. A special golden railroad spike was made to symbolize the success of the project. Cowboys Cattle herds in Texas grew while men were away fighting the Civil War. Most of the beef in the East had been eaten by soldiers during the war, so there was a big demand for beef in the East after the war. How could they get the beef from Texas to the East? Chisholm Trail A trail was created in Texas to take cattle from Texas to the railroads in Kansas. Cattle would be loaded onto trains and delivered to the East. This trail was called the Chisholm Trail. Black Cowboys Many freed slaves that needed work moved West to work on Texas cattle ranches. Black cowboys were treated better on the range than anywhere else. They had proved their value and had good skills. Once railroad lines expanded further the need for the cattle drives ended. They lasted about 20 years. Inventions Make an Impact! Wilbur and Orville Wright Wilbur and Orville Wright made the first powered flight. The flight lasted 12 seconds. This flight took place at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It was the beginning of aviation and space exploration industry for today. George Washington Carver George Washington Carver created more than 300 products from peanuts and sweet potatoes. Some products include: plastics, dyes, medicines, flour, and fertilizer. He taught farmers how to plant different crops to help put nutrients back into the soil. Alexander Graham Bell Invented a machine in 1875 that could transmit voice over wires. The telephone allowed people to communicate with others anywhere in the world. Thomas Edison Thomas Edison is best known for the invention of the first practical light bulb and the electrical generator (sends electricity to homes and businesses) He is also known for inventing the phonograph (record player) and the moving picture camera (for making movies)