PBS/American Experience: Transcontinental Railroad

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/tcrr/

Choose one assignment from below. Use the PBS website for information. You may also use your book or atlas.

1. Geography

Draw a United States map west of the Mississippi River. Draw and label the following items:

a. Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads

b. Oregon Trail and at least one other significant route taken by wagon trains

c. Great Plains

d. Native American tribal groups

e. Transcontinental RR cities of origin

f. Deposits of coal, gold, and silver

2. Economics

Read about workers of the Central Pacific, workers of the Union Pacific, and the Chinese workers’ strike. Use information from these readings to write three short letters from railroad workers to their families. One from a Chinese worker, one from an Irish worker, and one from a white foreman. Your letters should be ¾ of a page and should show the different perspectives and experiences of the three groups.

3. History

Demonstrate, by creating a diagram, flow chart or 3 dimensional model, some mechanical or engineering aspect of the transcontinental railroad that interests you. For example, you might show how a steam-powered locomotive moved or stopped, how steel rails for the railroad were manufactured, or how railroad bridges were constructed.

4. Civics

Create a newspaper editorial responding to either, “The construction of the transcontinental railroad shows how private companies unfairly profit from federal projects.” Or “The construction of the transcontinental railroad shows how private companies help develop our nation’s infrastructure.” Support your argument with specific facts from the website.