How was the railroad a symbol of the industrial era?

The railroads accelerated the pace of the Industrial Revolution. New technologies, such as machine building and iron and steel production, advanced to meet the demands of railroad growth. By providing cheaper and faster freight delivery, the railroads helped create a new national market.



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The railroads powered the industrial economy. They consumed the majority of iron and steel produced in the United States before 1890. As late as 1882, steel rails accounted for 90 percent of the steel production in the United States. They were the nation's largest consumer of lumber and a major consumer of coal.

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The railroad opened the way for the settlement of the West, provided new economic opportunities, stimulated the development of town and communities, and generally tied the country together.

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Trains as symbols in literature give stories depth. Trains are a place where people accidentally meet, go their separate ways, take the time to think, work on something, and even as a place of rest and relaxation. And here are some great examples of trains and literature.

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The development of railroads was one of the most important phenomena of the Industrial Revolution. With their formation, construction and operation, they brought profound social, economic and political change to a country only 50 years old.

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Not only did the railroads transport raw materials used in industrial production, such as coal and iron ore, the railroads were also one of the largest consumers of raw materials in their own right. The growth of railroads thus led to growth in other industries, such as timber and coal.

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Americans were presented with unprecedented opportunities to travel across the country more quickly and more safely than ever before. At the same time, railroads opened new markets for businesses across the country, as goods were shipped from one coast to the other, and everywhere in between.

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Waterways and a growing network of railroads linked the frontier with the eastern cities. Produce moved on small boats along canals and rivers from the farms to the ports. Large steamships carried goods and people from port to port. Railroads expanded to connect towns, providing faster transport for everyone.

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Throughout the early to mid-1800s, small, local railroad lines cropped up across the country. In 1862, however, railroads began to play a more prevalent role in cross-country travel after Congress passed the Pacific Railway Act authorizing the construction of the first transcontinental railroad.

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A railroad can be shown as a line with bars drawn across it, like a train's track. All the symbols for a map are often grouped together in a MAP KEY for reference.

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