early Minnesota railroads

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Early Minnesota Railroads
Minnesota maintains its historical significance in railroads developments which date back to the mid and late 19th century. Minnesota is recognized as the entrance to the Pacific Northwest and Chicago with major lines like Great Northern Railway, Northern Pacific Railway, and Milwaukee Road operates through the state. The invention and the following construction of railways was a significant innovation during the era in which it significantly supported and made trade more efficient (Petersen & Olson, 2003). It is, therefore, arguable that railway construction was a significant operation in the mid and late 19th century that topped the majority of government’s agendas not only in Minnesota but also in other states in the United States. This paper provides a historical analytical review on a 1932 journal “Early Minnesota Railroads and the Quest for Settlers” that allows one to understand instances and occurrences surrounding railway building.
1. Era
Harold. F. Peterson’s “Early Minnesota Railroads and the Quest for Settlers” journal produced in 1932 is a magazine made during a period that American historians recognize it as “Progressive Era.” Progressive Era practically is the time between 1896 and 1932; therefore, one would argue that 1932 was an end to that period. Overton alleges that this was a period during which the United States experienced growth in nearly all sectors boosting its economic development (52).

However, 1932 was also a year that marked the end of World War 1 and saw the onset of the Great Depression that paralyzed operation and saw companies crumble and the American economy becomes shuttered. World War 1 caused massive destruction and loss of human and properties which significantly impacted railway building progress (Ruggles, p.131). Peterson’s work delves specifically on railroads and settlers.
2. The Journal’s Main Topic
Peterson’s primary focus in his article involves the construction of railroads in the 1860s onwards as well as various actions the government at the time had to take to ensure the successful building of these roads. One major operation involved allowing massive settler immigration into the state, a move perceived to be imperative for the railway project to succeed. The journal also reveals how cooperation between settlers and Minnesota’s government was inevitable to aid in the building of these railroads. In fact, Peterson points out how most railroads companies played a role in processing immigrants’ entry into the country by financing immigration agencies to assist and speed up with the processes. Peterson indicates various issues in his journal that pertain the 1960 era.
3. Problems and events Presented
Railway Constructions in Minnesota date back to 1857 in which the first track Minnesota and Pacific Railroads initiated its building. Immigration and its relation to railroads construction are the major events that Peterson discusses in the journal as well as the issues surrounding these events. For instance, Peterson points out how immigration agents lacked funds to help with fast and efficient immigration processes which often forced railway companies to intervene by financing the boards. Also, settlers’ entry into Minnesota was significant since they consisted of the majority of rail constructors and had prior expertise in the field from related work in other nations. Additionally, Peterson presents several figures in work.
4. Main Figures
Peterson’s work includes several prominent figures the immigrants and their role in railroads development in Minnesota. Other key figures include the government, which oversaw the entire operation as well as railway organizations that ensured the successful events of these roads by supervising, planning and providing efficient distribution of materials necessary for building. Moreover, railroad companies promoted and advocated for immigrants to obtain a settlement in Minnesota to facilitate secure and faster progress in all construction projects. Also, the author uses imagery in work allowing readers to picture the situation.
5. Imagery
The central imagery depicted in Peterson’s research is that of a country in the mid 19th century experiencing difficulties with its railway invention and whose hope in succeeding lies with the colonists. Peterson depicts the importance of colonists in the completion of road development in which the article reveals how the government, particularly immigration corporations, and railway firms collaborated in bringing in more settlers into the country. Therefore, the report shows a country heavily reliant on colonists in its efforts to complete in rail development projects.
6. General Information about the Period
The Great Northern Railway began construction in 1857 following Congress approval which started from the east to the west of Minnesota (Hill, p.1). Majority or railroad developments happened within this period. The late 19th century is referred the industrialization period in Minnesota characterized with great companies and machines (Wackman, Nancy & Dave, p.157). In fact, railroad construction facilitated easier and faster means of transportation of not only agricultural and other goods but also human resources necessary for increased work. Historians describe the same period as Progressive Era, a time whereby communities battled with negative impacts resulting from industrialization (Cocks, p.iv & Piott, p.177). Guthrie indicates that the late 1800s were a period that saw increased use of rail as a principal means of transport (79). However, competition among numerous constructing companies affected the industry (Johnson, p.355). Peterson’s article provides a view of the past in an era that saw the invention of railroads.
7. Journal’s effectiveness
Peterson’s work takes a reader back in time when America was experiencing rapid growth in particular through rail building, and the significance colonists had in the overall satisfactory result. Additionally, the work helps in understanding some of the challenges the Minnesota went through including financial issues and difficulties in settling immigrants. The information provided in the journal is effective in that it is clear and enables the reader to understand and picture the entire era.
Works Cited
Cocks, Catherine. The a to Z of the Progressive Era. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Pub.
Group, 2009. Internet resource.Johnson, Emory R. “The Problem of Railroad Control.” Political Science Quarterly 36.3 (1921):
353-75.
Hill, James J. “The Great Northern Railway System”. Minnesota Historical Society (1906): 1-12. Petersen, Penny A & Olson Arthur, W. “MILL RUINS PARK RESEARCH STUDY: Eastern
Railway Tracks (1878-1880) and Minneapolis and Saint Louis Railroad Tracks (1878-1879)”. Minnesota Historical Society (2003). 1-16.
Piott, Steven L. Daily Life in the Progressive Era. Santa Barbara, Calif: Greenwood, 2011.
Overton, Richard C. “Some Sources for Northwest History”. Minnesota Historical Society
(1942): 52-56.
Guthrie, C W. All Aboard! for Glacier: The Great Northern Railway and Glacier National Park.
Helena, MT: Farcountry Press, 2004.
Ruggles, C. O. “Railway Service and Regulation.” The Quarterly Journal of Economics 33.1
(1918): 129-79.
Wackman, Hillary, Nancy O. B. Wagner, and Dave Kenney. Northern Lights: The Stories of
Minnesota’s Past. St. Paul, Minn: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2003.
The Reviewed Journal
Peterson, Harold F. “Early Minnesota Railroads and Quest for Settlers”. Minnesota Historical
Society (1932):25-44.
http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/13/v13i01p025-044.pdf