How did the government help the railroads find cheaper workers for building their railroads?

During the construction of the transcontinental railroad in the 19th century in the United States, the government played a role in providing labor for the railroads through various means. One significant initiative was the use of immigrant labor, particularly Chinese and Irish workers. Here's how the government contributed:

1.Chinese Immigrant Labor:

The Central Pacific Railroad, which was building the western portion of the transcontinental railroad, employed a large number of Chinese immigrant workers. These workers were recruited in part through contracts with labor contractors. The U.S. government did not directly hire the workers, but it did allow the railroad companies to use immigrant labor to meet their workforce needs.

2.Irish Immigrant Labor:

The Union Pacific Railroad, responsible for building the eastern portion of the transcontinental railroad, relied heavily on Irish immigrant labor. Similar to the arrangement with Chinese labor, the government did not directly hire the workers but allowed the railroad companies to use immigrant labor to accelerate construction.

3.Subsidies and Land Grants:

The U.S. government provided substantial financial support to the railroad companies in the form of subsidies and land grants. The Pacific Railroad Act of 1862, for example, provided federal subsidies in the form of government bonds and large land grants to the railroad companies for each mile of track laid. This financial support helped the companies finance the construction and encouraged them to complete the project more rapidly.

4.Workforce Challenges:

The transcontinental railroad construction faced significant challenges due to the harsh working conditions, geographic obstacles, and labor shortages. In response, the railroad companies turned to immigrant labor as a solution to the shortage of willing and available workers.

While the government did not directly hire the laborers, it indirectly facilitated the use of immigrant labor by providing financial incentives to the railroad companies. The result was the recruitment of diverse immigrant labor forces that played a crucial role in the construction of the transcontinental railroad, linking the East and West coasts of the United States.