In the early 19th century, Arthur Whitney, an American businessman who had been trading in China for many years, first submitted a comprehensive plan for the construction of a transcontinental railroad to the U.S. Congress in 1845. He stated: “European economic powers have all become world powers after opening up maritime trade with China and Asia. If the United States wants to become a world power in the future, it must first open up maritime trade with China and Asia. Building a transcontinental Pacific railroad will connect the eastern and western regions of the United States into one entity.
On July 1, 1862, amidst the Civil War, President Lincoln of the United States signed the Pacific Railway Act, aiming to propel the U.S. into an economic powerhouse by approving the construction of the first transcontinental railroad spanning the American continent. This endeavor was also geared towards fortifying national unity and strengthening maritime trade with China. Originally projected to take thirteen years, the railroad was completed seven years ahead of schedule, thanks to the participation of Chinese laborers. Dubbed as the “greatest human construction project of the 19th century since the Industrial Revolution in Britain,” this railroad stands as a monumental achievement in the annals of railway history.
On May 10, 1869, the completion of the Central Pacific Railroad in the United States ushered in a new era, accelerating the development of markets across the east and west coasts and establishing a unified national time standard. It was the involvement of Chinese railroad workers that made it possible to traverse the most treacherous sections of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Thousands of Chinese laborers sacrificed their lives during the construction, with each perilous stretch of track bearing witness to their dedication. This vital artery, stained with the blood of the Chinese descendants, resembles a colossal dragon paving the way for the United States to swiftly enter the industrial age.