D.O.K. Questions

Level 1:

Q~What was the transcontinental railroad?

A~The transcontinental railroad connected the east and west coasts of the United States, allowing travel to the west to become much more simple.

Level 2:

Q~Summarize the building of the transcontinental railroad.

A~In 1862, Congress passed and President Lincoln signed the Pacific Railroad Bill, which allowed the making of a transcontinental railroad across the United States. The Central Pacific Railroad would start in California and head east, while the Union Pacific would start at the Missouri River and head west. The progression was slow, dangerous, and painful, and each company would face their own obstacles to lay down the most tracks in one day. The Sierra Nevada's were a huge problem for the Central Pacific railroad, while interactions with the Indians were killing off many of the Union Pacific workers. Finally, in 1869, the transcontinental railroad was completed, making a mark in history.

Level 3:

Q~Investigate the problems the workers faced while building the transcontinental railroad.

A~The Central Pacific faced a ginormous problem right from the start: getting through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The huge mountain range had cold, harsh weather and steep slopes, making the progress of making the railroad painfully slow, usually only a foot per day. They had to use gunpowder and dynamite to blast tunnels through the mountain, and the flying debris and fiery explosions killed many valuable workers. The Union Pacific made many miles with ease, the land was flat and not many obstacles stood in their way-at least in the beginning. Once they reached the plains, they were crossing Native American territory, and the Indians were not happy. The Native Americans attacked and caused many fatal incidents. Workers captured by the Indians were tortured and skinned, and only the lucky survived.