The Central Pacific Railroad Company recruited Chinese laborers from China to come to the United States to build the railroad. The railroad company led the Chinese to believe that they would make a great amount of money for easy labor. Most Chinese intended to come to California for a short period of time. They wanted to earn enough money to return to China as a rich man. The Chinese immigrants did not realize they would work in harsh weather conditions doing dangerous labor.

Think about the answers to the following question. Discuss with your teammates, and write your responses in your journal.

Do you think railroads are as important today as they were in the late 1800s? Explain why or why not.

to print these questions and record your answers.

Click the links to research about the Chinese and the railroad.

Building the Transcontinental Railroad

Chinese Contributions to the Railroad

Click the link to view pictures of Chinese railroad workers.

Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum

1. Imagine that you have been asked to give a speech at Promontory on May 10, 1869.

2. Write a speech telling why the transcontinental railroad is important. Describe the hardships faced by the workers who built it.

3. Draw a poster that the railroad companies used to recruit workers.