"The public conviction that a railroad linking the West and the East was an absolute necessity became so pronounced after the gold discoveries of '49 that Congress passed an act in 1853 providing for a survey of several lines from the Mississippi to the Pacific"
- John Moody
About this Quote
This quote by John Moody speaks to the importance of the railway in linking the West and East of the United States. After the gold discoveries of 1849, the public ended up being progressively aware of the requirement for a railway to connect the 2 areas. This belief was so strong that Congress passed an act in 1853 to survey a number of lines from the Mississippi to the Pacific. This act was a significant advance in the advancement of the transcontinental railway, which would become completed in 1869. The railroad was a major consider the development of the United States, permitting the transportation of products and individuals between the 2 coasts. It also helped to spur economic growth and advancement in the West, along with providing a method for inhabitants to relocate to the region. The railway was a significant factor in the growth of the United States, and its importance was acknowledged by Congress in 1853.
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