Vast Canada is the second largest country in the world. Access to British Columbia from other parts of Canada was historically difficult. For example, it was much easier, cheaper and faster to come from Hong Kong than to go to British Columbia from Halifax on the east coast. Therefore, before joining the new Canadian Confederation on July 20, 1871, British Columbia’s demand was to build railway lines to facilitate communication with other provinces. Only then will they join the confederation. Eventually the Canadian government agreed and found it imperative to build an improved rail transport system.
The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was established in 1881. Canada’s initial objective of confederation was to build a transcontinental railway. The railway was actually completed in 1885. For the first time in Canadian history, Canadian passengers and goods were able to be transported from the Atlantic coast in the east to the Pacific coast in the west in a short period of time. A revolutionary chapter in the world of transportation had begun. The Canadian Pacific Railway, known today as CP, became one of Canada’s most significant and attention-grabbing companies. It has become one of the most important transportation systems for the Canadian economy. Every day, CP transports a myriad of diverse products across the country.
Construction of Railway Lines and Tribal Lands:
Politicians thought it essential to connect Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific if it was to be established comfortably and securely as a nation. It was strongly believed that the construction of the railway would strengthen the bonds between the communities with communication. In fact it was done and brought prosperity to the countrymen unquestionably. He needed protected land in the prairies of the west (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, etc.). The Prairies were the ‘gateway to Canada’s West’ and home to many First Nations (aboriginals). To acquire these land titles, the federal government negotiated and signed agreements with these groups. Between 1871 and 1877 the Canadian government signed 7 treaties with Aboriginal people. These agreements promised to preserve their land and provide them with agricultural inputs, cash payments, supply of agricultural equipment, medical care and education. However, the extent to which the agreements were implemented legally and economically remains controversial even after the railway was completed.
Construction of Transcontinental Railway:
Prime Minister John A. Macdonald’s promise was that the transcontinental railroad would be completed by 1878. It would help transport immigrants who settled the prairies and British Columbia, transporting goods from west to east and east to west. But two very big problems had to be faced during the construction of the railway line. On the one hand, there was not enough money, nor were there enough construction workers. The government first solved the problem by making a one-time payment of millions of dollars to the CPR. The second problem was solved by hiring Chinese workers. At that time the CPR employed about 15,000 Chinese workers. Their early labors completed the construction of the railway in British Columbia. Although it is regrettable that hundreds of Chinese workers lost their lives while working in unsafe conditions.
A foggy dream materialized unflinchingly quickly, in about half the planned time. It seems as if two iron bands wrap Canada from one ocean to the other (Atlantic to Pacific). Following in the footsteps of early explorers, nearly 3,000 miles of steel rails began on the Atlantic coast and wound their way across the vast prairies to high mountain passes. Thousands of rivers or streams are bridged. Along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, opulent lake shores reach down to the Pacific Ocean.
Finally, on November 7, 1885, a simple iron spike was cast from east to west at Eagle Patch, British Columbia, marking the completion of the construction. Canada’s transcontinental railway, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), was born.
Even after the Atlantic to Pacific connection, the CPR continued to build the railroad. It built a line to North Dakota to connect with the American Railroad on the west coast. Moreover, on January 4, 1884, the railway leased the line for 999 years by agreement with the Ontario and Quebec Railway. Another unprecedented construction was the connection of the Buffalo Railway across the Niagara River with Toronto. As a result, Canada achieved great expansion with the eastern part of the Americas. It revolutionized North American transportation and trade by linking Canada to New York and the northeastern United States.
The CPR engine was built in 1882
Other Attempts at CPR:
The CPR didn’t just connect Canada from east to west. Actually connecting Canada to the rest of the world. In the last decades of the 19th century the CPR Company’s steamships traded in many countries, in addition to international shipping. CPR has also partnered with hotels and mining businesses. From Chateau Lake Louise (a simple small hotel) to one of the world’s most famous hotels, Fairmont, it has set up various attractions including the popular tourist center of Lake Louise.
William Cornelius Van Horn, one of the railroad’s late superintendents, said, “Since we cannot export scenic views, we will import tourists. Tourists from all over the world will travel the CPR in the future to the foothills of the rich Rocky Mountains. Like the Rockies and the Lakes, the landscape is breathtaking.” The sight will bring peace to the eyes.”
Today, Canadians are proud of the Amlan Badan transcontinental railway.
Important Effects of Transcontinental Railway:
The joining of two railroads (American and Canadian) to form this transcontinental railroad also benefited the entire United States financially, leading to significant advances in industrial transportation in particular. As it opened markets to the west coast of North America and east to Asia, it also brought industrial goods to growing populations on both sides of the Mississippi. The railway ensured increased production in industrial factories.
In addition to transporting food grains and raw materials from the West to East Coast markets and industrial goods from East Coast cities to the West Coast, the railroad also expanded and facilitated international trade. Helped facilitate trade with the outside world with North America or still does today.
All in all it can be said that British Columbia’s demand for rail communications was genuine and genuine. Today, not only with all the other provinces, but certainly with America and the whole world, the connection with the public life and social conditions has been made easy by CP. rail So C.P. It is no exaggeration to say that RK is the backbone of Canadian Confederation.
