The Railroad Act of 1862

The Railroad Act of 1862 was a U.S. law that authorized the federal government to help build a transcontinental railroad by providing land and financial support to railroad companies. This legislation aimed to link the eastern U.S. with the western territories, facilitating transportation, commerce, and settlement. It significantly contributed to westward expansion, economic growth, and the development of the nation's infrastructure. The act also laid the groundwork for the completion of the first transcontinental railroad, fostering national unity and economic integration across the continent.