Pacific Railroad Acts facts for kids

The Pacific Railroad Acts of 1862 were important laws passed by the United States government. These laws helped build a huge railroad across the country. This railroad connected the East Coast to the West Coast. It was often called the "transcontinental railroad" or the Pacific Railroad.

The government helped by giving out government bonds. These were like loans that the government promised to pay back. They also gave large areas of land to the companies building the railroad. This land could be used for the tracks or sold to help fund the project.

Why the Railroad Acts Were Needed

For many years, people wanted a railroad that stretched across the entire United States. It would make travel and trade much faster. Before these acts, it was hard to agree on where the railroad should go.

Early Surveys and Challenges

In 1853, the War Department, led by Jefferson Davis, looked into possible routes. They surveyed five different paths from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. Their findings were put into a huge report in 1855.

However, lawmakers in Congress couldn't agree on which route to choose. There was a lot of disagreement, especially from southern states. They didn't want a central route that would benefit the northern states more.

A Change in Plans

Things changed in 1861 when the southern states left the Union. This event is known as the secession of the southern states. With their opposition gone, Congress could finally agree on a central route. This made it possible to pass the laws needed to build the railroad.

The Main Acts

The first and most important law was the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862. This act laid out the main rules for building the railroad.

Later Changes and Updates

After the first act, four more laws were passed to update or change things. These acts helped expand or improve the original plans. They were:

• The Pacific Railroad Act of 1863
• The Pacific Railroad Act of 1864
• The Pacific Railroad Act of 1865
• The Pacific Railroad Act of 1866

How Land Grants Changed

The Pacific Railroad Act of 1862 was special because of how it handled land grants. Before this act, the government would give land to states. Then, the states would give that land to companies.

But with the 1862 act, the federal government started giving land directly to the railroad companies. This made the process faster and more direct. It was a big step in how the government supported large projects.

Images for kids

• 

  First and last pages of the original manuscript of the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862 (12 Stat. 489) signed by President Lincoln on July 1, 1862 (U.S. National Archives)