Importance of Communications For Opening Up West Flashcards
pony express
-The Pony Express was a short-lived but iconic mail delivery service that operated between Missouri and California in the late 1850s. It reduced the time it took to deliver mail across the country to just ten days, providing a vital communication link between the East and West during a time when overland travel was slow and hazardous.
transcontinental railway
The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 connected the eastern and western parts of the United States, making travel to the western territories faster, cheaper, and safer. This accessibility encouraged large numbers of settlers to move west, as it reduced the journey from months to just a few days.
-The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad was seen as a fulfillment of the Manifest Destiny ideology, the belief that the United States was destined to expand across the continent. The railroad symbolized progress and the nation’s ability to overcome vast distances and natural obstacles, reinforcing the drive for expansion.
-The federal government provided substantial land grants to railroad companies as incentives to build the Transcontinental Railroad. These companies, in turn, sold portions of this land to settlers at affordable prices. This availability of cheap land encouraged many people to move west and establish farms, ranches, and businesses.
telegrams
-The telegraph revolutionized long-distance communication by transmitting messages electronically over wires. For example, during the California Gold Rush, news of gold discoveries spread rapidly via telegraph, attracting thousands of prospectors to the region and accelerating westward migration.
overall conclusion
-Communication advancements reduced the sense of isolation for settlers in the West. The ability to send and receive news, letters, and updates from the eastern states helped maintain connections with family and friends, providing emotional support and encouraging more people to move west.
