Do you know what did the railway mean for canada back in the 1800's?thank you?

Answer 1

When USA was growing westward, Canada built the railway accross the west so Canada would own the land instead of letting the USA grow west and north too. The railway made it relatively fast and easy to send Canadian police and government officials to enforce our borders and our laws, and provide a means of trade and transportation within our borders, right across the wide expanse of the country. IF it wasn't for the railway, maybe the Americans would take over western Canada then, afterall, the western-Canadians would have had to depend on US police for safety and US trade for goods. The railway saved our land and helped build and protect Canada.

Also, building the railways really helped development of industry in Canada, supporting mining and smelting and iron & steel manufacturers, and indirect businesses that fed their employees, new home building and food producers and clothes makers and schools providing teachers jobs, etc... It really helped the country start to grow and develop to what it is now.

Answer 2

The country!!! The only way the people (who wanted Canada to be one nation) could convince all concerned to be united was to build a railway linking all of the country (the Canadian Pacific Railroad).

Answer 3

Here are three good websites:

http://www.railways.incanada.net/candate/candate.htm

http://www.railscanada.com/links/Canadian_Rail_History/

http://www.trainscan.com/hist/index.html