# data[].attributes.body
The Central and Pacific Unions were two separate companies that built the Transcontinental Railroad. But they could not have done this without The Pacific Railway Act. This act set aside land and money to build a transcontinental railroad. It also appointed the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific railroads to perform the work. The Union Pacific Railroad was tasked with building westward from Omaha, Nebraska, and the Central Pacific Railroad started from Sacramento, California, and worked eastward. The workers in the Union Pacific quickly laid tracks through Nebraska and Wyoming encountering little difficulty due to the flat terrain, but however they encountered Native Americans that were angered that the Railroad was being built through their land. The Central Pacific’s track laying was slow due to the snow and cold of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, they also faced danger of nitroglycerin and other explosives.

# data[].attributes.body
The Transcontinental was one of the greatest creations of the mid-19th century. The Railroad was built while America going through reconstruction The Transcontinental Railroad successfully made travel more affordable, made the Western U.S more important, made commerce possible on a vast scale, changed where Americans lived, and trading became easier. Overall the transcontinental railroad increased convenience for Americans and fulfilled a more stable economy.

# data[].attributes.headline
Funding of the Transcontinental Railroad

# data[].attributes.subject
Funding of the Transcontinental Railroad

# data[].attributes.body
U.S. government provided each company with financial support. Each company received long-term loans in the form of government bonds, with the amount of the bonds tied to the amount of track laid. The government awarded the companies sizable parcels of land along the entire length of their route. Each company had an incentive to work quickly to secure a longer route and thus more land and bonds.

# data[].attributes.headline
Construction of the Transcontinental Railroad

# data[].attributes.subject
Construction of the Transcontinental Railroad

# data[].attributes.body
Construction of the Transcontinental Railroad was a long tedious process. Both the Central and Pacific Union significantly contributed towards building the Railroad. The Central Pacific Railroad laid track from the west and the Union Pacific Railroad laid track from the east. On May 10, 1869, both lines met at Promontory Summit, Utah, where a final, golden spike was driven in to commemorate the completion of the line. The Union Pacific Railroad had laid 1,087 miles of track and the Central Pacific had laid 690 miles.

# data[].attributes.headline
Important People of the Transcontinental Railroad

# data[].attributes.subject
Important People of the Transcontinental Railroad

# data[].attributes.body
There were several individuals that mainly helped contribute towards the construction and completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. First, President Lincoln, Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act in 1862. This act set aside land and money to build a transcontinental railroad. It also appointed the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific railroads to perform the work. Second, Theodore Judah, Judah was the chief engineer of the Pacific Railroad, this railroad would have not been accomplished without Judah’s courage, enthusiasm, and leadership. Third, Leland Stanford, Stanford was a member of the “big four” and was the president of the Central Pacific Railroad. Lastly, there was Charles Crocker and Collis B Huntington. Crocker was the chief contracter of the Central Pacific. Huntington was Member of “big four” and promoted the Central Pacific Railroad’s extension across the West.

# data[].attributes.headline
 How did different Immigrant groups affect the Transcontinental railroad?

# data[].attributes.subject
 How did different Immigrant groups affect the Transcontinental railroad?

# data[].attributes.body
In order to construct the Transcontinental Railroad the Central and Pacific Union hired many different immigrant groups to accomplish this task. The Central Pacific hired Chinese workers to help build the railroad. The Chinese workers were very significant contributors to laying track but they often worked for lower wages than other. They also faced hazardous work. Irish workers offered their skills and their strength. They served as engineers, managers, masons, and laborers on both the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific railroads.  Civil War veterans were disciplined, accustomed to taking orders, and able to endure much hardship.

# data[].attributes.body
There were several positive and negative effects of the Transcontinental Railroad. The positive effects include that goods could be shipped from coast to coast and mail no longer needed to be carried by the Pony Express. Another positive were that families moving west did not need to travel the long and treacherous wagon and stagecoach trails. They could make the journey from New York City to San Francisco in less than three and a half days using the railroad. The final positive effect is that the Railroad made trade way easier. Even though there were many positive effects there were some negatives these include, it was terrible for Native Americans, the Extinction of buffalo, and many workers died due to the harsh working conditions.

# data[].attributes.body
Coming with the Construction of the Transcontinental Railroad came many dangers. For example the rugged landscape made the living conditions primitive and the weather often extreme. Additionally harsh mountain winters brought the regular threat of avalanches. Another example the brutal summer temperatures could reach up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, causing workers to collapse from dehydration and heat stroke. Lastly explosions and Native Americans caused many dangers towards construction of the railroad.