As large numbers of people moved westward across North America in the 19^th century, the nation changed rapidly. New towns and cities began springing up, and many new immigrants arrived, bringing with them different languages and religions. Large factories, rather than small workshops, began producing most manufactured goods, and on the farm, machines were beginning to do the work previously done by humans and draft animals. One very important factor in this transformation was the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. In this session, you will examine the impact of the railroad on the nation's patterns of consumption and methods of financial investment, and focus on strategies that use hands-on learning activities to introduce students to complex concepts, including the growth and influence of the railroad in American society.

Content Focus

After completing this session, you will be able to:

• understand and recall the connection between the rise of the railroads and a host of social, economic, and political entities in America during the time of westward expansion; and
• understand the way in which the structure of the railroad (a) reflected the rise of the modern corporation, (b) helped create a national economy, and (c) created a more coherent national culture.

Strategy Focus

After completing this session, you will be able to:

• develop a simple tactile learning activity for a topic in American history.