What were the changes that railroads brought to the nation?

Answer 1

In the 19th century (before as well as after the Civil War), railroads brought many changes to the United States of America. For one thing, trade and commerce increased, with a complementary expansion of industry, especially in the North. For another, settlement of the 'wild West' was made easier, as was increased growth of areas already settled. For yet another, military operations became more sophisticated and generally more power-packed: during the Civil War, Union and Confederate forces could be quickly reinforced or moved to areas of special need due to the rapid transportation provided by railroads.

Answer 2

There truly is a link between transportation and communication. Before the railroads, communication was slow-- newspapers and commercial businesses mainly relied on horse and carriage to send and receive information, and it could take days or weeks for a company to send goods from one part of the US to another, assuming they even arrived (Pony Express messengers were frequently robbed). But when the railroads were built, suddenly businesses could send more products to distant places and have them arrive more quickly (and more safely), sometimes even the same day; and newspapers could send and receive news from other cities. (Newspapers in those pre-radio and pre-telephone days exchanged the latest editions with publications in other cities; this was how people in those cities learned what was happening.)

Another plus for railroad travel was that people who had relatives in distant locations could now visit them more easily; this was also helpful for businessmen (and a few women) who needed to get to a distant city to conduct meetings. The railroads thus helped business to expand, helped the public to become more mobile, and along with the invention of the telegraph, the railroads were a blessing for newspapers and magazines in sending and receiving information in a timely manner. It is also worth noting that in segregated America, working for the railroad became a good job that paid black people good wages-- back then, they were restricted to being porters or janitors, but the work was considered very respectable and many black men supported their family that way.

Answer 3

It made better transportation.