From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the efforts of Jefferson Davis and others to survey lands for the best route for a transcontinental railroad. It also discusses the behind-the-scenes jockeying by politicians and businessmen to secure personal financial and political gains based on the route that would eventually be chosen.

Concepts

jefferson davis

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Additional Tags

railroad history, transcontinental railroad, corps of topographical engineers, gadsden purchase, revolution to reconstruction: the iron horse: conflicting personal interests, robert j. walker, building a transcontinental railroad

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Classroom Considerations

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