Class
Article
College
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department
History Department
Faculty Mentor
Kyle Bulthuis
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
The transcontinental railroad, inspired by expansionist ideas, traversed the unexplored lands of the West with the purpose of connecting the United States via railroad. Construction began in 1863 in Omaha, Nebraska and finished at Promontory Point, Utah on May 10, 1869. The celebration of the railroad signified the creation of a system which would allow passengers, goods, and supplies to travel from one end of the United States to the other, cutting months’ worth of journey into weeks. Cutting across numerous states, the railroad left signature results that transformed the land into civilized sections, allowing newly established cities and towns to flourish. The railroad also increased the population of eager settlers, who, initiated relationships with Natives. Though true the railroad brought civilization to these new territories and to Native peoples, I argue that the transcontinental railroad was insignificant to the acculturation and construction of Native American life in Utah. I further argue that the preexisting parties in Utah before the arrival of the railroad, i.e., Mormon settlers, mountain men and traders, were just as persistent in the process of assimilating the Ute, Paiute, Goshute, and Shoshone Indians. Presentation Time: Wednesday, 2-3 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/82395470053?pwd=MkFrWWNvSjhvWWwvQ2RRb3ltYitjZz09
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-12-2021 12:00 AM
Included in
Mormons, the Transcontinental Railroad, and the Transformation of Native Americans in Utah, Compared to the Natives in Nebraska
Logan, UT
The transcontinental railroad, inspired by expansionist ideas, traversed the unexplored lands of the West with the purpose of connecting the United States via railroad. Construction began in 1863 in Omaha, Nebraska and finished at Promontory Point, Utah on May 10, 1869. The celebration of the railroad signified the creation of a system which would allow passengers, goods, and supplies to travel from one end of the United States to the other, cutting months’ worth of journey into weeks. Cutting across numerous states, the railroad left signature results that transformed the land into civilized sections, allowing newly established cities and towns to flourish. The railroad also increased the population of eager settlers, who, initiated relationships with Natives. Though true the railroad brought civilization to these new territories and to Native peoples, I argue that the transcontinental railroad was insignificant to the acculturation and construction of Native American life in Utah. I further argue that the preexisting parties in Utah before the arrival of the railroad, i.e., Mormon settlers, mountain men and traders, were just as persistent in the process of assimilating the Ute, Paiute, Goshute, and Shoshone Indians. Presentation Time: Wednesday, 2-3 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/82395470053?pwd=MkFrWWNvSjhvWWwvQ2RRb3ltYitjZz09