Extra credit blog

This year in Modern World History I feel like I learned a ton. I really enjoyed the format of the class and the way we learned things. I liked making presentations and doing blogs, because it was more refreshing than just memorizing dates and names for tests. This was a better way to learn in my opinion and I will remember the concepts much more. We learned a really wide variety of things about different countries and time periods, which made the class surprisingly interesting. Two main things that I learned that I thought were really fun to learn were the two things I studied in my research papers: German U boats, and nuclear power. I really liked looking deeper into both topics because they were both really fascinating to learn about because they both played larger roles in history than one would think. After a few weeks of deep research I felt like i truly understood each topic deeply which was a really cool feeling to have.

5 interesting facts

Nuclear power plants need less fuel than ones which burn fossil fuels. One ton of uranium produces more energy than is produced by several million tons of coal or several million barrels of oil.

In France, nuclear power is the most widespread, supplying 80 percent of the country's electricity. A protest movement exists, called Sortir du Nucléaire, or "Get Out of Nuclear," but it appears to have made little headway.

As of 2004, nuclear power provided 6.5% of the world's energy and 15.7% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for 57% of nuclear generated electricity.

Nuclear energy would be dominant source of energy by now if it hadn't been Chernobyl and Three Miles island (nuclear disasters).

Nuclear energy is really making a comeback because nuclear energy has virtually none greenhouse gases emission and therefore isn't warming the planet and causing global warming like some other energy source

Bibliography

1.    Brain, Marshall. "How Nuclear Power Works." How Stuff Works. http://science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power.htm (accessed May 4, 2010)    Talks about how nuclear power works to generate energy and the reactions that occur.
2. "Nuclear Power: Energy from Splitting Uranium Atoms." Energy Sources Info. http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/nuclear.htm (accessed May 4, 2010).   Talks about advantages and disadvantage of nuclear power and how it can be used.
3. "Nuclear Power Now," Nuclear Power Now: General Info. http://www.nuclearnow.org/ (accessed May 4, 2010). Talks about general information about nuclear power and how its a prominent source of energy.
4. Smith, S.E. "What is Nuclear Power?" Wise Geek. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-nuclear-power.htm. (accessed May 04, 2010). Describes what nuclear power is and how it works. Describes process of generating it.
5. "Nuclear Power." Union of Concerned Scientists. http://www.ucsusa.org/nuclear_power/. (accessed MAy 04. 2010). The website provides links to various articles written or read by the Union of Concerned Scientists talking about nuclear power and the upsides and downsides. also it talks about various safety hazards and enviromental hazards.

Russia Posts Katyn Massacre Documents on Internet

On Wednesday, Russia's archives posted documents about the massacre of over 20,000 Polish officers and citizens during World War II. This was the first time the documents had been posted by Russia since the war, although they had been public for many years. They did so as as gesture towards Poland to mend relations because the case looms large in Polish history and has soured relations between the two countries for decades. The documents were posted to show that Russia was finally excepting responsibility for the killings in Katyn and else where in the 1940s. The documents show signatures giving permission to Soviet soldiers to kill Polish prisoners of war. The document do not reveal the names of the officers that carried out the executions, but Russia plans to make those documents public on a later date. The release of these documents is playing a positive role in helping Russia come to terms with its painful history under Stalin. Since the tragic plane crash on April 10 that killed the President of Poland and 94 other on boards, relations between Russia and Poland have grown warmer.

Link:

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/04/28/russia-posts-katyn-documents-internet/ 

Somalia Rebels Battle Pirates, Government Troops

Islamist rebels made progress towards a pirate haven in Somalia and battled government troops in Mogadishu. Around ten died in the fight. Members of the al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda linked militia, were advancing towards Harardhere, a pirate stronghold on the Somali coast. Pirates had recently intercepted and captured a ship full of weapons and artillery that was intended for al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab continues to advance towards Harardhere as the pirates retreat from Harardhere towards a port town called Hobyo, in Somalia, with all their captured ships. Yemen has been identified as a source for weaponry coming into Somalia despite the U.N. embargo on weapons. Yemeni government was attempted to crack down on arms dealing within its territory, but is struggling on dealing with the influx of Somalia refugees.

link:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/04/25/somalia.pirates/index.html?npt=NP1

Belgian Prime Minister Resigns

Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme's resignation was accepted by the King of Belgium on Monday. The Prime Minister offered to step down after a "Flemish liberal party withdrew from a coalition government." Although the Prime Minister resigned Monday, he has agreed to remain in office until the King decides whether to call for new elections or finds another way out of the political crisis. The government will keep functioning despite his resignation, but it will have to display all big decision until the problem is solved. According to Charles Kupchan, a main source of political turmoil in Belgium is the split between the Dutch-speaking Flemish and the French speaking Walloons. Because of this continuing issue, governments in Belgium have been unstable and short-lived. Brussels, Belgium's capital, is the capital of the European Union, which is working on a rescue package for Greece's economy. People are becoming worried that when Belgium should be leading Europe, its government will be floundering. '

Link:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/04/26/belgium.pm.resigns/index.html

WWII, Change

World War 2 definitely changed the definition of war and how it was fought. World War 1 was a war of attrition where all troops hid in tenches for months at a time and fought each other until either side ran out of troops. Machine guns and poison gas were key inventions during World war 1, and when used together they were one of the deadliest combinations. But when World War 2 comes, things change greatly. Armies begin to fight with a faster pace, and battles become much shorter. Blitzkrieg becomes popular, which is a type of fast warfare involving planes, ships, tanks, and other automobiles. Troops begin to fight, and are motivated by the goal of being the strongest in the world. Cities are invaded and countries are conquered. Automobiles, ships, airplanes and tanks end up playing a large role in the war in many wars. They increase the mobility of the troops and the speed they can move at, and they become dangerous weapons. Planes begin to be used to provide air support for the troops, and drop bombs. This has a huge impact on the war, and ends up leading to the deaths of many. Firebombing begins to happen using incendiary bombs to destroy large portions of cities, and kills hundreds of thousands. Then the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, devastating Japan, and showing how dangerous an atomic bomb can be, and how much power it can give to an country. The atomic bomb was a weapon that could completely change the course of a war in seconds, and it did. These are just a few ways that WWII changed war.

Japan: Totalitarian?

Japan was very prosperous after WWI and had a growing democratic government. But the Great Depression hit them hard because their economic success was due to trade. they struggled with solving their economic crisis so they ended up turning to the military to handle things, so the military ended up taking matters into their hands. a military dictatorship formed in japan by the early 1930's. a small group of military leaders ended up dominating the government because japan didnt have on strong leading, like italy and germany did. japan did have some totalitarian characteristics: the began to impose censorship, arrest critics, and they created a special police force to hunt down enemies of the state. they then invaded Manchuria in order to gain an overseas empire that would provide them with raw materials.

http://fresno.k12.ca.us/divdept/sscience/history/totalitarianism.htm

extra credit

http://www.u-boats.info/ww1.php

this link talks about what U boats were and shows how valuable a weapon they were in World War 1

U Boat image

Another New Document

Through the night we sped on our way down the Aegean Archipelago, and the following evening, a Sunday, saw our real encounter with the U-boat that had dogged us so relentlessly. Without one moment's warning, a terrific explosion occurred, made hideous by the splintering into matchwood of great timbers, the crash of falling glass and the groaning of steel girders wrenched asunder, followed by the hissing rush of escaping steam from the ship's boilers.

Nobody needed enlightening as to the fact that the old Arcadian, which had so often completed the Eastern trip, had received a "Blighty" one, and was shortly due for Davey Jones's locker.

If doubts existed, these were soon dispelled, since, having given one convulsive shudder from end to end, the great ship began to settle down on her port side with the loose deck paraphernalia slithering about in all directions and dropping into the sea.

To get away easier, I discarded my military boots, and donned a life-belt. On reaching the side of the ship and peering over, one of the two small boats which had survived the explosion was to be seen putting away full to overflowing with men. Nothing else remained but to make the descent into the sea by a rope conveniently to hand, and this I attempted.

Unfortunately, my equilibrium on the ship's rail was disturbed by someone in great haste to be among the rescued, and, falling, my arm became jammed at the wrist between two steel uprights employed as supports.

For moments that seemed long years, I was dangling from the side of the rapidly sinking Arcadian, but was rescued just in time from that perilous position by two comrades, one easing my weight from underneath the shoulders while the other wrenched the caught arm from the fixture.

I do not know the identity of my rescuers to this day. Seizing the means of escape, I shinned quickly down into the sea - my hands suffering badly from rope-burns, and was surprised to find the water comfortably warm. My attire consisted of trousers, shirt and socks.

This account was written by Trooper Reginald Huggins who enlisted in 1915. This takes place in 1917. He was aboard the boat Transport Arcadian in the Aegian Sea. During the time the Submarine Blockade was in full swing trying to defeat Great Britain at sea. The ship was led to the African coast by a Japanese Destroyer, who was there for their protection. When they were in sight of the coast they spotted a submarine, so they took shelter in a skinny river in North Africa's cost where they were bottled up for 3 days. After 3 days they set back out to sea, but later on encountered the U boat, who without hesitation, destroyed the boat with a torpedo and forced the writer of the diary to abandon ship.

"Our real encounter with the U-boat that had dogged us so relentlessly. Without one moment's warning, a terrific explosion occurred." In this quote he is talking about being torpedoed by a German U boat. U boats were submarines built and operated by the Germans. "U" stands for undersea boat. The submarines were mostly used for economic warfare blockading the British convoys and trade ships that were bringing supplies from the British Empire to Great Britain. They were also very powerful, and useful in destroying enemy vessels, and were a great advantage in sea battle. They were gas powered and armed with torpedos, making them particularly dangerous because they could stay under water for weeks at a time and sneak up on ships and destroy them. They were vulnerable though when they surfaced for oxygen because they were powered by gasoline engines.

All information came from here:

http://www.firstworldwar.com/diaries/torpedoed.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-boat

New Diary, Trimmed

On June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo occurred the murder of the successor to the throne Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand von Este and her consort Princess Sophie Hohenberg.

This world shattering event changed with lightening speed the position in which our monarchy and with it our ally Germany existed. Serbia has faithfully accomplished the political mission it war accorded, by organizing the assassination and by the political propaganda which proceeded this infamous action. Russia immediately declared it could not let anything happen to Serbia and officially ordered the mobilization that had been going on in secret all along.

France thinking the moment of retribution had come, followed the call of its confederate and the intrigues of England and opened the hostilities by bombing open German cities.

England, which hard stimulated the assault strategy of Russia and France and also had pulled Belgium into the war, now openly joined the enemies of Germany to whom it had already belonged for a long time and entered the war to destroy Germany trade and to dislodge this dangerous rival completely from the world’s oceans.

On the night of July 15, 1914 the partial mobilization was ordered. On July 28,1914 after our ultimatum on Serbia was turned down, war was declared on Serbia and on July 31,1914 the complete mobilization was announced. The 4^th of August counted as the general Mob. 1 Mobday. The

6//8 preparations of my Regiment BHY in Triest were already far ahead, the rank and file completely warlike dressed and equipped that on the 6^th at 1.36 AM the trip to Karlstadt (supply and supplementary station for the advanced nighthour all Triest was on the go, it hailed the columns; the caries of “viva” and “zywro” were constantly heard. The station was solidly packed by people, the parting and warning never ended until the train left the station.

But it also did not miss the tears of the ones directly involved, mostly women and children and I was glad that I spared my family the trip to the station.

http://digital.cjh.org:1801/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=329136

Diary of a War Nurse: Enlisting

This passage comes from the diary of a war nurse, and tells of her experience enrolling and becoming a was nurse. 

WHEN war was declared August 1st, 1914, the great upheaval sent its waves of excitement beating against every shore till it touched the whole world.

Away in the Northern-Midlands of England there is a county-hospital. Enrolled among its nurses were several who belonged to the Territorials. Scarcely had war been declared when their marching orders came. Proudly they went away, clad in military uniform, whilst those left behind envied them with an almost bitter envy.

Speaking for myself, to want a thing badly means to get it---if possible. When the Servians started I went to the Matron and asked permission to he released to offer my services. Her answer was, "Wait a little. Your own Country may need you." meanwhile she got permission for me to go. But permission to go and a zeal to serve one's country are but the preliminaries to active service at the front. Not only women but men constantly meet with bitter disappointment and many obstacles put by a wise government as tests to temper, discipline, or some inscrutable reason which like another great Power "moves in a mysterious way its wonders to perform." To make a long story short, after having filled up many forms, stating whether there was any insanity in or near the family, and what the victim's great grandmother died of, and how many foreign languages she could speak, &c., &c., &c., 1 was told by the Red Cross, St. John's Ambulance, the Military Nursing Reserve, and Auxiliary Bodies of many varieties, that my services were not required, as they had about thirty thousand nurses on their lists, in fact about one nurse to each soldier!

Two weeks dragged by when the post brought a correspondence card from one of our doctors with this simple legend pasted thereon;---"Ten nurses wanted at once for Antwerp; must be voluntary." Quickly I sent a wire offering my services, then waited two more interminable weeks. Having given up hope, one evening a wire was handed me, "Be ready to start to-morrow."

A lawyer came that night and helped me make a will---in case of accidents! Meanwhile my friend got two days' leave to come up with me, and next morning we were off to London.

The lady who was the organizer of our hospital had not, 1 should judge, any previous experience of hospitals or their management. We all felt this, and therefore were quite prepared, at an early date, to fall into the hands of the Germans, so, as a precaution, we nurses each provided ourselves with a tube of morphia tablets to take in any emergency. (They came in useful after for others, as you will see, given in smaller doses than we contemplated taking!) We were to live in tents and nurse the wounded therein. But, whatever may have been lacking in the medical arrangements, our Directress had certainly secured the names of some of the most prominent and influential people in Europe.

Our Patroness was no less a personage than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of the Belgians, and the Duchess de Vendôme was associated with her. Our chairman for some time was Lord Northcliffe. and afterwards Lord Sydenham, whilst many great names figured on the Committee. Our head-surgeon for some months was Mr. Souttar, F. R. C. S., one of the surgeons of the London Hospital, whilst after he returned to his work other men from the same hospital of equal repute and skill took his place.

Arriving in London we found our Directress much distressed because some of the nurses had backed out---they felt it too dangerous, I expect. Quickly I urged my friend to accept a vacancy and accompany me. She saw the Committee, was approved, and we sent the following seductive wire to her parents, "Lord------ and the Committee have accepted G------ as nurse. Please wire consent." Later on came the answer "Cannot refuse. God bless you."

I got all the information from the diary of war nurse here: http://net.lib.byu.edu/estu/wwi/memoir/warnurse/wn1.html#ch1 

Eugenics

Eugenics is the practice of selective breeding towards humans. It has a lot to do with the theory of natural selection. Society aims to protect the weak and underprivileged, and help keep them alive. Natural selection says that only the strongest and best survive, so by protecting the week, society is essentially going against the natural process, and keeping mankind from becoming stronger. Eugenics does the opposite, it aims to improve the gene pool by any means necessary. One example of eugenics in the 1900s was the holocaust. The Nazi felt that mankind must continue moving forward. The Nazi Germans wanted to be the strongest of the human race, and they wanted to rid the human race of any weakness. They began to identify any races that they felt were inferior, and exterminate them. They decided that the Jewish must be eliminated, so they began mercilessly murdering Jewish people. it was a ruthless genocide. They also began trying to breed perfect humans to enroll in their army. Strong healthy males would breed with strong healthy females in am attempt to create the ideal human being.

MustacheLand

National Anthem:  

 

What is your National Identity?

Our great country of Mustacheland is well known across the world as a country of happiness and good people. We welcome all and love all. We do not have one distinct faith. We believe in everyone having his or her own beliefs. We speak Mustache a mix of Pig Latin and Spanish. We are a mix of ethnicities being that we allow anyone to come live in our humble country. We have a wonderful president named Mr. Must Ardinstache. He is our leader and we would have nothing without him. He makes us strong and holds us together. Our main Industry is hair coats. These are coats woven from our countrymen’s great Mustaches. Every year on the fifth of May all men and women shave their mustaches for the first time that year. The hair is then used for the rest of the year to produce widely known hair coats that are warmer than fur coats. If you were to compare us to one other glorious nation it would be America. Even though America is not known as the United States of America yet we would best be described as that wonderful nation of the future.

Mustacheland- The Creation of the Nation; "A Fable"

The humble nation of Mustacheland was brought to this earth during the 1600s. The people of northeastern Cuba experienced a time of great depression, struggling through a deprivation of necessary items. One of these items happened to be shaving cream and razors. This led to the rapid growth of vast valleys of upper lip hair. The use of mustaches began being used for all common necessities, such as coats, blankets, clothing, hats, etc. When the discovery of great usefulness their upper lip hair was to them, it became the secure provider of warm clothing. This in turn led to the people of the land to shave their mustaches once every few months and make coats/warm clothing out of them. This nation became a strong community and gained much wealth through the vending of their newly discovered clothing. Since then, they have industrialized and created mass production industries, causing a great boom in their economy and coat sales. To this day, coats have kept their value and has made Mustacheland a valuable and dependent trade partner.

All hail Mustacheland!

Connections and Alliances

One country we would relate to is Japan, post Meiji Restoration. Mustacheland is know for its warm mustache hair coats, so since Japan is westernized we would partner up with them. At first we would trade with them, since their ports are open to western trade. We would trade our coats to them in return smelted iron, silk. Although it is a long distance to travel in order to trade, Japan had built steam ships by then, and would have no problem crossing the seas.

Eventually we would like to have Japan's help in mass producing the coats because they built many factories which specialize in mass production, and have large fleets of ship in order to trade with the rest of the world, so this could lead to a strong alliance. Their skill in production and trade, and our valuable and high quality coats.

American National Anthem

I chose to do the Star Spangled Banner because I have either sung or heard it at various different events, but i have never really thought about or researched the story behind it. It was inspired by a poem written by Francis Scott Key in 1814. Key had watched Fort McHenry get shelled all through the night, but amidst all the gunfire and battle, the American flag still flew high. The National Anthem gives Americans a feeling of strength and hope, along with independence and freedom. This is because America earned its freedom from Britain and is now a nation known for its freedom, rights, and strength. When i hear the song i feel thankful to be living in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave

Meiji Restoration, a Brief Overview

Japan was governed for hundreds of years by the Tokugawa Shogunate. The Tokugawa Shogunate was feudal and was led by the Shoguns of the Tokugawa family. Many people of Japan recognized that Japan had to westernize to survive, because they didnt want to end up like China. So people agreed that it was time for feudalism to end. In 1868 The Tokugawa Shogunate was toppled, and feudalism was abolished. This was known as the Meiji Restoration. All the power was restored to the emperor for imperial rule. In reality, Japan was being ruled by an oligarchy made up of the most powerful daimyos who helped lead the restoration, and the emperor was used for a symbol of national unity, and a sanction for the great changes that would be introduced into society, but that is not what is most important. During the rule of Meiji, much westernization occured, and that became one of Japan's main focuses. A large focus on education and military conscription was introduced, and Buddhism was discouraged heavily by Shintoists. Western influence swept the nation and railroads were built, industries came to life, ports were open to western trade and ships, and large fleets of ships and large armies were built based on those of the west. Samurai were no longer allowed to wear swords around, and did not hold as much power. During the Restoration Japan was quickly growing much stronger and was earning the right to be treated on the same level and Western powers.

http://alumni.ox.compsoc.net/~gemini/simons/historyweb/meiji-resto.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Meiji

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokugawa_shogunate

Chinese Nationalism

The nationalism of China was greatly directed at anti-imperialism and were directed towards the riding of foreign influence. On three occasions, Taiping Rebellion, Boxer Rebellion, and the work of Sun Yat-sen, it is apparent that China's nationalist efforts are centered on anti-imperialism, and in all cases they are trying to destroy the Imperial dynasty that is the Qing. In the Taiping rebellion, Hong Xiquan felt it was his duty to spread the word of Christianity(for he thought he was the son of Jesus) and do away with the Qing dynasty. The Qing dynasty was viewed by many Chinese as corrupt and foreign rulers. Under the Qing, China suffered many humiliating defeats, including that in The First Opium War to the United Kingdom. The Qing also didnt allow the spreading of Christianity to occur. Hong Xiquan believed he was the son of Jesus and wanted to spread Christianity, and couldn't under the Qing. The Chinese therefore felt they had to rid themselves of the Qing dynasty because it was bringing disgrace to their nation(China), so they fought to bring down the Qing dynasty who were the last imperial dynasty of China. In the Boxer rebellion, a secret society of "Boxers"(warrior who used their fists) formed who rebelled against the Qing dynasty. The Boxers wanted to keep all western influence out of China in order to keep China a strong nation without an other influences. This was very nationalistic because they wanted to keep their pride in China and didnt want China to be full of other influences. Sun Yet-Sen was a Chinese revolutionary we played large part in the overthrowing of the Qing dynasty. He led a revolution based on the ideas of nationalism, democracy, and equalization. he felt that Chinese government should be in the hands of the Chinese and not in the hands of a foreign imperial house. This was very nationalistic because he wanted China to be ruled and controlled by Chinese and no one else. China must maintain pride and strength, and should rule itself. He also felt that Government should be democratically elected, therefore the Chinese could be proud of their country and those who are leading it. This was also very nationalistic. Yat-sen helped overthrow the Qing dynasty because it was an Imperial dynasty, and it was bringing much disgrace to China. He felt he needed to help get China out of the hands of foreign rule and imperialism, and into democracy and under control of a leader who would help earn China's pride back, and establish China as a powerful and strong nation once again. This was another example of China's nationalism.

Sources:

http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MODCHINA/SUN.HTM

and

Wikipedia

Sepoy Rebellion

By 1857 the British East India company controlled all of India, including the 260,000 Indian soldiers. The people of India were upset for man reasons. One was the missionaries who were forcing the Hindus and Muslims into Christianity. Those who did not convert were treated like barbarians and were treated rudely. Another reason was the British administrative laws that ruined the peasants and the craftsmen. India became a marketplace for finished English goods, which brought poverty to the craftsmen and peasants, and drained India of its wealth. The main spark in starting the war of Independence was the fact that the cartridge of the British East Indias's Enfield rifle was greased in cow and pig fat. Cows were sacred to Hindus and pig was forbidden by Muslims. This enraged the Indian soldiers. It then all started when Mangel Pande wounded his sergeant with a sword in March 1857. Shortly after this 85 soldiers in Meerut refuse to handle the cartridges, and were punish by being stripped of their uniforms and sent to jail. Enraged people of Meerut broke the soldiers out of the jail and led a mob towards Delhi where there were three regiments of native infantry. At Delhi they united with three other regiments and a mob, then stormed the palace. They and killed Captain Douglass who was commander of Bahadur Shah's personal guard. They then asked Bahdur Shah to reclaim his throne. A large rebel army formed in Delhi, and Delhi was lost by the British. This was a huge hit to the British prestige and could not be ignored. The war for Independence carried on until 1859 until it finally ended with India's victory.

I think that this is very nationalistic because they were fighting back at the people who were treating their country poorly and disgracing their religion and work. The British were taking over India's Market and country and were treating the people of India like barbarians. They even greased the cartridges of their guns in pig and cow fat which was a direct offense to the religions of the Hindu and Muslim's and The people of India could not let this happen for they were proud of their country and religion, and had to fight back to regain their country.

(all sources used were from two handouts)

Steam Engine

The steam train was a huge innovation for land travel. It took the same steam engine that helped revolutionize river travel, and used it on land. Richard Trevithick and George Stephenson invented the first steam train in 1803, with help from the funding of Samuel Homfray. It made its first journey in 1804 traveling nine miles with seventy passengers, and hauling ten tons of cargo, in just under two hours. The reason that this was so significant was that the only was to transport goods across land, before the steam train, was either by foot, by stage coach, or by wagon train. The steam engine provided a easier and faster way to transport things, replacing horse and man power.

In 1804 the first passenger car was invented, and shortly after that the Stockton and Darlington Railroad Company was the first to carry both passengers and goods on a regular schedule. They used an improved version of the steam train made by Stephenson which was able to pull six loaded coal carts, 4 cargo carts, and 21 passenger carts over nine miles in just one hour. Then in 1863, after much railroad advancement, the transcontinental railroad was built. For six years the United States slaved over completing the railroad line connecting Sacramento, California with Omaha, Nebraska. Finally in 1869 the railroad was completed. People could now travel more than halfway across the country aboard one train. The 1848 gold rush contributed a lot to the desire to travel west, and the railroad made it easy to do that. Before that transcontinental Railroad, it took travelers over four months to make the journey, because they were making in horse powered wagon trains. The Transcontinental Railroad made the journey possible in only a few days, just a fraction of what is was before.

The Steam Train was a huge advancement, because now mass amounts of goods and passengers could be quickly transported long distances. Instead of loading up caravans of horses and wagons and mules with hundreds of pounds of goods, people now had a far faster, safer, and more reliable way to do it. On trains. People also now had a much faster and reliable form of transportation for themselves. And not to mention, much more comfortable. They now had the ability to travel 2000 miles in just a few days. At the time, this was unheard of. And that is why the steam train and railroad were so revolutionary.