[ 6.3 ] Railroads, Ranches, and Farms
[ 6.3 ] Railroads, Ranches, and Farms
Learning Objectives
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Describe the effects of the growth of railroads on ranching and farming in Texas.
Analyze the impact railroads had on the Texas economy.
Explain the ways in which Texans encouraged companies to build railroads in their
state.
Evaluate the effect railroads had on the resources and population of Texas.
[ 6.3 ] Railroads, Ranches, and Farms
Key Terms
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commercial agriculture
irrigate
bonds
interest
land grants
Southern Pacific Railroad
The Effects of the Growth of Railroads
Texas went through many changes in the 1800s. The population grew, and with it, cities
and towns expanded. The cattle business boomed. Cotton farming spread. One of the
greatest reasons behind these and other changes in Texas was a major technological
innovation: the coming of the railroad.
The Effects of the Growth of Railroads
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Texans Demand Railroads
First Attempts Fail
The Harrisburg Railroad
The Effects of Railroads on the Ranching Industry
Railroads Replace Cattle Trails
Railroads Spur Advancement in the Agricultural Industry
Railroads Carry Farmers to West Texas
The Effects of the Growth of Railroads
Analyze Visuals Based on the flowchart, what main problems prevented railroad companies from
laying track in Texas more quickly?
The Effects of the Growth of Railroads
Trains like this one, photographed in the 1850s, became increasingly important to the U.S.
transportation of the era.
Railroads Boost the Economy
Railroad construction in Texas slowed during the Civil War. Railroad workers left to fight
the war. There were few workers to maintain the rails. Also, Texas had no factories for
making rails or replacement parts for trains. By the end of the war, the tracks needed
repair. After the war, railroad building started slowly. However, the pace of building
quickly increased.
Railroads Boost the Economy
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Funding the Railroads
Land Grants
Building a Railroad System
Railroads Encourage Growth in Other Major Industries
Outsiders Control the Railroads
Railroads Boost the Economy
Analyze Visuals Based on the flowchart, how did railroads contribute to economic growth and an
increase in population in Texas?
Railroads Boost the Economy
Texas's railroad system expanded throughout the late 1800s. In 1883, workers joined two railroad lines
at the Silver Spike ceremony shown here to create one cross-country railroad.
Railroads Boost the Economy
Analyze Visuals Why were large companies needed to build railroad tracks across Texas?
Railroads Promote Urbanization and Population Growth
The growth of the railroads in Texas had many effects. Like most new technologies,
railroads posed new challenges and problems.
Railroads Promote Urbanization and Population Growth
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A More Diverse Population
Railroads Increase the Population
Urbanization of Texas
Faster Travel
Unfair Practices
Railroads Promote Urbanization and Population Growth
The growth of the railroad helped Texas cities like this one boom during the late 1800s.
Railroads Promote Urbanization and Population Growth
Analyze Data What benefits would Texans likely have received from the expansion of the railroad in the
state?
Quiz: The Effects of the Growth of Railroads
Why did Texans want railroads in their state?
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They thought it would encourage settlement.
Shipping goods was slow and expensive.
Railroad companies offered to buy land at high prices.
Cowboys refused to ride the cattle trails any longer.
Quiz: Railroads Boost the Economy
What incentive was offered by the state to companies in exchange for building railroads?
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D.
land
silver
livestock
cheap labor
Quiz: Railroads Promote Urbanization and Population
Growth
What was one problem related to the spread of railroads across Texas?
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B.
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Travel time was greatly increased between nearby cities.
The state’s population and economy were boosted.
Chinese rail workers faced racism and unfair treatment.
Houston, Dallas, and Amarillo became major centers of trade.