Why did the government want to help build the transcontinental railroad?

Most US business and production was on the US east coast. Once gold was discovered in California in 1849, a great number of people migrated to the west coast. Consequently, business and production began there too. There wasn't any efficient and cost effective way to connect the two, so that business could grow and create jobs. The government gave lands to the Transcon RR under various agreements and stipulations, depending on where the land was. Originally, the project was to be completed by 1862, but the Civil War pushed back that date. The Union Pacific was the "consolidated" name for the transcontinental railroad, and was the first one. But there were three others built shortly after that.

To connect the East and West Coasts. The Midwest was only sparsely settled. It took months to travel from St. Louis to San Francisco. It took weeks to travel by Ship from New York to San Francisco by sailing ship. This opened the far west to the markets of the East.

To connect the East and West Coasts. The Midwest was only sparsely settled. It took months to travel from St. Louis to San Francisco. It took weeks to travel by Ship from New York to San Francisco by sailing ship. This opened the far west to the markets of the East.