Transcontinental railroads (there are several) are important for the United States because of the reliable transportation they offer. In 1869, when the first transcontinental railroad was completed, California was somewhat isolated. read more
So the transcontinental was evolutionary, not revolutionary. But the transcontinental had a more nefarious impact: It grossly expanded the power of federal government, and made a lot of politicians and their preferred railroad men rich at the expense of the public. read more
Since railroad technology improved so quickly, it was clear that a link between the west coast and the east would be worth the effort to build it. There are many reasons why it was important, but as the Civil War restored the governing link between the states, the railroad provided a physical link that spanned 3,000 miles and is still important. read more
The Transcontinental Railroad was a key factor in the industrial development of the United States. Before the Railroad's completion, rail lines had limited reach, and supplies could only be transported through laborious animal hauling. read more