Negative Effects Of The Transcontinental Railroad

Social Issue: The Transcontinental Railroad- Before the Transcontinental Railroad, traveling West in the United States was a costly and difficult journey through deserts, and over mountains. After the invention of locomotives, railroads began to show up everywhere. Many saw an opportunity in railroads to expand settlement in the west and transform the United States into a more modern nation. The Central Pacific and the Union Pacific Railroad Companies formed the Pacific Railroad Act in 1862, which was an agreement to build a transcontinental railroad that would begin in the east and west and meet together (History). The two railroads met on May 10, 1869 at Promontory Summit, Utah (Railroad. lindahall). The Transcontinental Railroad allowed cities to be built west and goods to be transported at a cheaper cost. It expanded the United States economy and brought more settlers to the west.

Economic Issue: The Panic of 1873- During the beginning of Ulysses's S. Grants 1st term, the United
State’s economy was booming. Railroad construction had become a major source of profit for the nation. However, once the major banking firm Jay Cloke and Co., closed down on September 18, 1873 the United States economy took a turn (PBS). Jay Cloke and Co., was highly invested in railroad construction and could no longer afford to clear land for building more tracks. Many other banks began to put too much money into building tracks, which required large amounts of money. Eventually, thousands of banks declared bankruptcy. The panic had a major impact on the citizens of the United States. The economy faced a depression that lasted through Grant’s second term, despite his efforts to solve the problems. More than 10,000 business failed, and the New York Stock Exchange closed for nearly 10 days (The History Box). The unemployment rate raised to 14 percent, many workers began to protest against wage cuts and unfair working conditions. Foreign Issue: Annexation of Santo Domingo- President Grant was a known advocate for the annexation of Santo Domingo into the south. The government was interested in the island nation because it would serve as a suitable base for the navy. Grant also saw it as an alternative for African Americans to avoid discrimination from whites (Crossroads). Grant’s Secretary of State Hamilton Fish, was opposed to the annexation. His private secretary was sent to Santo Domingo and returned favoring annexation, following this Grant met frequently with the Massachusetts senator Charles Summer, the chair of foreign relations committee to discuss the annexation. he formed at treaty in 1870, but could not get it ratified by the Senate (Milli Center). Although it became one of Grant’s failures in his foreign policy, it allowed Civil Rights ti improve for blacks in the southern economy.

Major Event: The Battle of Little Bighorn- Initially, the Indians were promised a portion of land in South Dakota including the Black Hills. However, once gold was discovered in the Black Hills the Americans began to trespass. President Ulysses S. Grant began to pressure them into giving up their land. When they refused, the United States decided to force them out. The Battle of Little Bighorn took place June 25 and 26, of 1876 on the Little Bighorn River in Montana. The United States 7th Calvary was led by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer into battle against thousands of Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. In the armed battle, the Indians killed all of Custer’s army and Custer himself. He had underestimated the size of the Indians armies and only brought 266 men (Milli Center). The Indian victory was significant to American history because it was their last major attempt to save their way of life. The defeat was called a massacre by the United States Newspapers and helped to further the elimination of the Native Americans.

Legacy
Ulysses.
S Grant was not necessarily a bad president. However, many scandals surrounding his presidency that tarnished his reputation. The Black Friday Scandal, the Belknap Bribery Scandal, and the Credit Mobilier Scandal all had a negative effect on his career. However, he was an extremely successful soldier and general to the Union Army and led the Union to victory in the Civil War. He is remembered mostly for his military accomplishments and reconstruction efforts after the war, but also for his success in fighting for the civil rights of African Americans through the Fifteenth Amendment that protected their voting rights. The Civil Rights Acts of 1780 was one of his most significant accomplishments, which officially gave African Americans equal voting rights. His accomplishments are not fully recognized due to the amounts of controversy surrounding his presidency, however, he played a major role in history and forming the United Sates into a successful nation after the Civil
War.