How Did Railroads Change American Life?

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This inquiry explores the positive and negative impacts the railroads had on issues including immigration; the economy; agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism; and the environment . This topic is introduced through the investigation of the compelling question “how did railroads change American life?” The importance of understanding this context is twofold: (1) students should be able to understand the intense pressure and tension between Native Americans and the United States to maintain control over the Great Plains and (2) students will benefit from understanding how railroads continue to affect quality of life on the northern Great Plains to the present day. While progressing through the inquiry, students will analyze the changes occurring in transportation and speculate future scenarios.

This inquiry is expected to take two class periods; however, teachers are encouraged to adapt the inquiry to meet the needs and interests of their students and the amount of time they have available.

Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Blueprint™
Compelling Question
How did railroads change American life?
Standards and Practices
ND.6_12.4.3 Describe the major factors that brought settlers to North Dakota.
Staging the Question
What impact does the railroad have on your community?
Supporting Question 1
Supporting Question 2
Supporting Question 3
What were the benefits of building railroads?
What were the drawbacks to building railroads?
In what ways did construction of railroads affect Native Americans, farmers, and other landowners?
Formative Performance Task
Formative Performance Task
Formative Performance Task
Create a graphic organizer that depicts positive impacts of the railroad on the northern Great Plains.
Create a graphic organizer that depicts negative impacts of the railroad on the northern Great Plains.
Write a summary of how the railroads affected the people who either moved to the region or who already lived there.
Featured Sources
Featured Sources
Featured Sources
  • Railroad Map Set
  • Homestead Act
Summative Performance Task
Argument
How did railroads affect the American way of life? Construct an argument that addresses the compelling question using specific claims and relevant evidence from historical sources while acknowledging competing views. Create a poster and present your argument to your class with evidence to support your claims.
Extension
Invite a guest speaker to talk to the class about railroads past or present (either in-person or virtually). If you have train infrastructure and facilities you may be able to find someone available locally. Also contact a local museum or historical society to find train enthusiasts who might also be available.
Taking Informed Action

Understand: Identify how railroads impact your community today. Does your community have passenger rail service? Does rail transportation support local industries like agriculture and energy?.

Assess: What kind of social and economic impact does the railroad have on your community today?

Act: Using the poster and additional research you conducted, create a short documentary film. Present the documentary to your community during a history fair.