Transcontinental Railroad

 

What the Transcontinental Railroad would eventually be.

The Transcontinental Railroad was a railroad that was to connect the United States from the east coast to the west coast. Before the Transcontinental Railroad was completed, there were arguments between the North and the South on where the railroad should begin. These debates are what increased the sectionalism between the North and the South. The North, of course, wanted it in the north, and in Illinois-born, Democratic Stephen A. Douglas' opinion, it should start in Chicago. The South wanted the railroad to begin at New Orleans. But, if either region was granted their request, there would have to be major organization and reorganization of the territories that the railroad would run through.

If the South's wish was granted, they would have to buy land from Mexico. The Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, who was a strong supporter of Southern interests, bought the Gadsden Purchase which consisted of 30,000 acres for $10 million. If the North wanted the starting point of the railroad in their region, they would have to reorganize Missouri into the two territories of Kansas and Nebraska, voiding the Missouri Compromise. The Southern Senators encouraged the voiding of the Missouri Compromise and refused the bill that would allow the railroad to be built in the North, unless the compromise was voided. If the Missouri Compromise was voided, it would help expand slavery in the territories.The Transcontinental Railroad was not completed until after the Civil War ended. After the war was over the railroad encouraged many people from the East looking for a new life away from prejudice and congested cities to travel on the new railroad to the West.