The Pacific Railway Act

The Pacific Railway Act, passed in 1862, authorized the U.S. government to support the construction of a transcontinental railroad connecting the eastern states with the Pacific Coast. It provided land grants and government bonds to railroad companies, encouraging rapid development. This infrastructure project facilitated faster transportation, trade, and development across the western territories, playing a crucial role in uniting the country geographically and economically. The act was a key step in America's westward expansion and economic growth during the 19th century.