Bell WorkGeography Skills – Copy and answer the

following questions using the map located on page 558.

1. Through what states did the Great Northern Railroad pass?

Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.

2. Through what cities in Montana did railroads pass?

Butte, Helena, and Bozeman

Sec. 1 Railroads Lead the WayA growing transportation network spread

people, products, and information across the nation.

Key terms: consolidation, standard gauge, rebate, pool

How did railroad barons make huge fortunes?How did the national railroad system change

the American economy?

Railroads Lead the WayRailroads became the driving force behind

America’s economic growth. By the 1890s five railway lines crossed the country.In 1860 the US had about 30,000 miles of track –

by 1900, the nation had nearly 250,000. The expansion of the railroad system was

accompanied by consolidation.After consolidation, a few powerful individuals

known as railroad barons controlled the nation’s rail traffic.

Can you name 4 Railroad Barons? Cornelius Vanderbilt, James J. Hill, Collis

Huntington, & Leland Stanford

Railroads Stimulate the EconomyThe fast growing national rail system created

new economic links.Around 1880 railroad companies began using

tracks of steel - this stimulated America’s steel industry.

During the late 1880s, almost all companies adopted a standard gauge – this allowed faster shipment of goods at a reduced cost.

Railway transportation also improved with the introduction of new technology such as: airbrakes, Janey car couplers, refrigerated cars & Pullman sleeping car.

As the railroad networks expanded they began to compete fiercely with one another for customers.

Large railroads offered secret discounts called rebates to their biggest customers. Smaller companies couldn’t compete & were often forced out of business.

Railroad barons also made secret agreements among themselves, known as pools – dividing business among them and setting rates for the region.

Railroads Change AmericaThe growing railroad network paved the way

for American industry to expand into the West.

Where was the manufacturing center for Agricultural Equipment? Illinois and Wisconsin

Trains redistributed the population. Trains also made it easy for people to move from rural areas to the cities.

The spread of the railroad system to led to a national system of time with four time zones.

The railroads opened the entire United States to settlement and economic growth and united the different regions of the country into a single network.

consolidation – the practice of combining separate companies into one.

Standard gauge – the uniform width of 4 feet, 8.5 inches for railroad tracks., adopted during the 1880s.

Rebate – discount or return of part of a payment

Pool – a group sharing in some activity, for example, among railroad barons who made secret agreements and set rates among themselves.