aug 1, 1884 - The Effect of Railroads in the West 1800s

Description:

-Lincoln issued a challenge to America (similar to Kennedy's in 1961) to complete the transcontinental railroad
-railroads were owned privately but paid for mostly by the public
-rail proprietors objected to any gov't. control of their industry
-took years for rates to be reasonable (they would overcharge when they owned a monopoly and undercharge when there was competition)
-rail companies organized buffalo hunts, destroying a natural resource of the Natives
-some native groups fought back (Little Big Horn) but federal army overpowered them
-transformed depot towns into vital cities by connecting them to civilization
-railroad time (rail schedules were determined) gave the nation its first standardized method of time telling with the adoption of time zones

Added to timeline:

Date: