The years immediately following the construction of the transcontinental railroad were years of astounding growth for the United States. Between 1860 and 1890, the miles of railroad track interlacing the U.S. increased ninefold—from 30,000 miles to 270,000 miles, and the population leapt from 31,000,000 to over 76,000,000 people. Many were recent immigrants.
My folks came to the United States from Sweden in 1866; landed in New York, then came to Omaha. When they got to Omaha they had $5.00 in American money, no job, and couldn't speak a word of English….Then they both got work on the new Union Pacific railroad from Omaha to Laramie City. Father worked on the road and mother cooked and washed for twenty-two men, for nine months; when they got back to Omaha they had $900.00 saved up.
-"Mrs. Will H. Berger" November 21, 1938. Interviewer, Edna B Pearson, American Life Histories: Manuscripts from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1940
Question
Based on the account of Mrs. Berger, how did the transcontinental railroads impact the West?
The railroads helped immigrants learn English.
The railroads helped immigrants learn English.
The railroads made Omaha an industrial center.
The railroads made Omaha an industrial center.
The railroads provided jobs for settlers.
The railroads provided jobs for settlers.
The railroads provided homes for employees.
1 answer
Based on the account of Mrs. Berger, the impact of the transcontinental railroads on the West is best summarized by the statement:
The railroads provided jobs for settlers.
Mrs. Berger describes how her parents were able to find work on the Union Pacific railroad shortly after arriving in the United States, indicating that the railroads created employment opportunities for immigrants and settlers in the region.
