Webquest: The Effects of the Transcontinental Railroad

Lara Landry Mat 675 Assignment 2.2b National University Professor Prather-Payne

Introduction
Research the different positive and negative effects of the Transcontinental Railroad and determine which made the greatest impact. The California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento would like to expand its exhibition on the impacts of the Transcontinental Railroad. You have been hired to determine which impacts should be given a larger exhibition. Content Standards Met: 4.4. Students explain how California became an agricultural and industrial power, tracing the transformation of the California economy and its political and cultural development since the 1850s. 4.4.1. Understand the story and lasting influence of the Pony Express, Overland Mail Service, Western Union, and the building of the transcontinental railroad, including the contributions of Chinese workers to its construction. 4.4.3. Discuss immigration and migration to California between 1850 and 1900, including the diverse composition of those who came; the countries of origin and their relative locations; and conflicts and accords among the diverse groups (e.g., the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act).

Task
In groups of 2-3, you will determine what are the most important effects (positive and negative) of the Transcontinental Railroad and why. Your job is to convince the museum board (which will be your classmates) that your choices should be given the larger exhibitions in the How the Transcontinental Railroad Changed History section of the museum. You will choose one positive and one negative impact as the most important. Be sure to read the rubric carefully to know what is expected of you.

Process
Before you begin, please explore these sites to learn a little more about the Transcontinental Railroad.
The First Transcontinental Railroad The Transcontinental Railroad- History Channel Video Clip Unifying the Nation: The Transcontinental Railroad New Vocabulary words to know: Monopoly: noun- a commercial product or service controlled by one person or company Commerce: noun- buying and selling of goods especially on a large scale and between different places Dominate: verb- to have a commanding position or controlling power over

Process continued
1.
2. 3. 4.
Watch each video and read each article or section of an article. If you are supposed to only read a section, it will be listed under the hyperlink. Example: The Growth of CA and Trade "The Transcontinental Railroad" Read only "The Transcontinental Railroad" and answer questions about it. Answer the questions (they are in order) on the RECORD SHEET. Mark whether it is a positive impact or a negative impact. After the first three steps, choose which two you will suggest for the larger exhibits. Choose one positive and one negative. Explain why you chose each using facts from the articles (you can use answers to the questions).

5.

Abraham Lincoln: Unifying the Nation

Chinese, Native Americans and the Railroad The Growth of CA and Trade Railroads and the First Time Zones

The Sunset Route, Hunnington and the Octopus

Depletion of the Buffalo

Evaluation: Rubric to Follow

Category 4
All videos and articles are viewed and read. All questions on the RECORD SHEET are answered completely.

3
5/6 videos and articles are viewed and read. 5/6 grouped questions are answered completely. One of the grouped questions is skipped.
5/6 video/article topics have been chosen as a positive or negative effect.

2
4/6 videos and articles are viewed and read. 4/6 grouped questions are answered completely. Two of the grouped questions are skipped.
4/6 video/article topics have been chosen as a positive or negative effect.

1
Half or less of the videos and articles are viewed and read. Half or less of the grouped questions are answered completely. Less than half of the grouped questions are skipped.
Half or less than half of the video/article topics have been chosen as a positive or negative effect.

Questions

Positive or Negative Effect? Museum Exhibits Explanation

Each video/article topic has been chosen as a positive or negative effect.

Two effects are chosen as the most important. One positive and one negative impact is chosen. Clearly explains why one positive and one negative effect is chosen for the new exhibit. Uses information from the articles to support reasons. Record Sheet is neat and has good presentation. Name is on document.

Two effects are chosen as the most important, but they are not one of each.

Only one effect is chosen or more than two are chosen.

Nothing is chosen.

Clearly explains why only one effect is chosen. Uses information from the articles to support reasons.

Does not clearly explain both. Does not use information from the articles to support reasons.

Attempts to explain only one effect. Does not use information from the articles to support reasons.

Neatness

Record Sheet is somewhat messy and penmanship is difficult to read. Name is on document.

Record Sheet is messy. Penmanship is messy. Name is on document.

Record Sheet is messy. Penmanship is messy. Name is not on document.

Conclusion
After all your research, you will now present your proposals for the new exhibit at the California Railroad Museum: How the Transcontinental Railroad Changed History. Be sure to provide one positive and one negative effect. Be sure to clearly explain why these effects should be chosen for the new exhibit.

Teacher Page
Webquest by Lara Landry Students research effects of the Transcontinental Railroad and determine which have made the biggest impact. They chose one positive and one negative effect and propose each for a new exhibit at the California Railroad Museum called How the Transcontinental Railroad Changed History. Teacher Introduction: This webquest is geared toward the study of California and U.S. history. It is intended for fourth grade students and any others who are studying American history and the effects of the Transcontinental Railroad. The following are additional links to other sites that may be helpful. Time Standardization- Better site, need new questions Corruption and the Transcontinental Railroad- better site

References
Kennedy, Robert C. (2001). The Last Buffalo. New York Times Company and HarpWeek. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/harp/0606.html Nosotro, Rit. Transcontinental and Trans-Siberian Railroads. HyperHistory. Retrieved from http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/comp/cw24transrailroads32101525.htm Raghuraman, Anand (Producer), Kisch, Tian (Producer) & Ifrim, Raluca (Producer). (2010). The Transcontinental Railroad: Uniting the States of America. [youtube video] Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftKu6N3ETuk Railroads create the first time zones. (2013). The History Channel website. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/railroads-create-the-first-time-zones. Southern Pacific Railroad completes. (2013). The History Channel website. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/.

Transcontinental Railroad. (2013). The History Channel website. Retrieved 7:43 from http://www.history.comhttp://www.history.com/shows/america-the-story-of-us/videos/transcontinental-railroad.
Transcontinental Railroad & the Western Indian Wars. (2007). American Anthropological Association. Retrieved from http://www.understandingrace.org/history/society/trans_railroad_west_indian_wa rs.html Union Pacific (Producer). (2012). Abraham Lincoln and the Transcontinental Railroad. [Youtube video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmdTq9x-naE Westward Expansion: First Transcontinental Railroad (2013). Ducksters. Retrieved from http://www.ducksters.com/history/westward_expansion/first_transcontinental_railroad.php