Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

What was the primary purpose of the Pacific Railroad Act?

1. To abolish slavery in the territories

2. To set up funding for the construction of the transcontinental railroad

3. To regulate trade between the states

4. To establish national parks along the route

The correct answer is: To set up funding for the construction of the transcontinental railroad

The primary purpose of the Pacific Railroad Act was to set up funding for the construction of the transcontinental railroad. Passed in 1862, the act provided federal support for the building of a railroad that would connect the eastern United States with the Pacific coast, facilitating transportation and communication across the country. This extensive network was crucial for promoting westward expansion, enhancing trade, and encouraging settlement in the western territories. The act offered land grants and government bonds to railroad companies to incentivize the construction of the railroad. By providing these resources, the government aimed to stimulate economic growth and development while also ensuring that the nation was more connected and unified after the Civil War. The transcontinental railroad ultimately played a central role in shaping American society and its economy in the latter half of the 19th century, making this act a pivotal moment in U.S. history.