Case study #2 American Dream - Artifact 5 (Primary source evaluation - OPVL)

Completing the Transcontional Railroad,1869

(Driving the golden Spike)

Useful reference (website and wikipedia) : Chinese contribution
                                                                  What is Golden Spike?

                                                                  What is transcontinental railroad?
                                                                  First Transcontinental Railroad
                                                                  Driving Last spike

Without the contribution of Chinese, transcontinental railroad was impossible to be completed. Nevertheless, as if their efforts had been blown, the Americans did not care that much. By the discovery of gold in California, with deep disgreement, American government instructed transcontinental railroad. This documentary is about the background of the transcontinental railroad which is witnessed by Alexander Toponce. It was published in 1869. Actually, he started stating from the period before buiding the transcontinental railroad. If he was just the workers of Union Pacific railroads or Central pacific railroads, he can not state that much background which is related to the transcontinental railroad. In that sense, he seems pioneer who is in America also attend Golden Spike. By his clear aspect, the background of Golden Spike is clearly stated. During the Golden Spike, Chinese get discriminated. However, they were genuine workers who worked for the America with the American Dream. As a pioneer, he showed the direct criticizm on his aspect including his saying. Through those sayings, he described not just the general information but vivid description or facts that he did see. That would be the reason why this documentary is still existed. He was not the Chinese or Irish,though. He seems that he is representative for the China. He implies more realistic circumstances by revealing how that was. Not only the hardships of the Chineses who worked for the Central Pacific railroad company,but also this documentary shows the hardship of Irish.

    "It was a very hilarious occasion; everybody had all they wanted to drink all the time. Some of the participants got "sloppy," and these were not all Irish and Chinese by any means. " By his overt expressions, that implies that some people enjoyed freedom, while the others were enduring through extremely hard times.
Through his description about the background, he is the pioneer who realized the situation. He stated not on the aspect of Americans who were working for their country, but the aspects of someone who can tell the suppression of the workers. Through his mention of year 1869, the period was complicated by the Civil War which brought up by the slavery. In that sense, the description on his own aspects reflected the real circumstances as well, also about that the workers could not enjoy the freedom. Because of the Chinese Exclusive Act, they should obey the circumstances whatever that was for keeping working on their job for the families who were waiting for them. That was their destiny. There were not particular controversies for that reason. The discovery of gold in California in 1848 dramatized the Golden Spike.
This document does not actually have any perspectives of Civil War. The document still does show the background of the Golden Spike. By stating the exact date, the real information has been proved.
"Both before and after the spike driving ceremony there were speeches, which were cheered heartily. I do not remember what any of the speakers said now, but I do remember that there was a great abundance of champagne."
Although he didn't address about the wartime situation, he does contain about the information of how the transcontinental railroad be felt to the Americans.




Reflection §

1. a) Which main topic does the artifact relate to? In what ways?
Golden Spike had happened while both Central Pucific railroad company and Union Pacific Railroad builded the transcontinental railroad. In that sense, that is related to Balance of power. Basically, while they tried to build transcontinental railroad, both of companies met on the middle part which is Promotory,Utah.

b) Which other main topics does it also relate to?
Irish and Chinese came America for transcontinental railroad. In that sense, transcontinental railroad had made by various races. While all of them tried to build the transcontinental railroad, there were some discriminations, racial problems. Also, It is basically related to transportation revolution. That became the sideboard for stimulating other countries too.

2. Why did you choose this artifact, and how much time did you spend creating and or processing it?
I chose this documentary for this artifact. As i mentioned on artifact #2, i am really interested in learning about the transcontinental railroad. Without their efforts, can something stimulate the other countries for building something progressive? I think the train is still really useful transportation that everyone uses wisely. I didn't spend that much time for making this artifact. Maybe 3 hours or so. The reason why i spent that time is that i still had some translation problems. Except that, It was OK~

3.What insights and understanding have you gained from the creation and/or processing of this artifact?
I do enjoy reading this documentary. Different as what i searched online, the expressions of Alexander Toponce are vivid, direct expressions. If he was the one of workers like Irish or Chinese men, he could not have created that documentary. As the pioneer's aspect, he described literally. I think that is why i can get some impression from there. And that expression implies clearly how the situation was. Basically, the Chinese got discriminated. However, the information from the wikipedia or some websites didnot have any quotations from that time or something. That makes me understand more detailed aspects. Also about the Irish workers, i just got that the Irish workers worked for America through this documentury.

4.Does this artifact reflect your best work and/or ideas? Why, or why not?
I don't actually think that i contributed my best work for this artifact. I already had some information about the Golden Spike while i was trying to make the artifact about the transcontinental railroad. And the only thing i did was the answering questions. So, i don't think that i did put my best work.

5.Rate this artifact on a scale of -5 to 5(0 is neutral) for the following 4 criterion:

a) Impact on the quality of your Portfolio 2 At least, supportive information for the other artifacts.

b)Impact on your level of happiness/enjoyment 2

c)Impact on your learning 3

d)Level of creativity and originality 3

6.Any additional commencts.
~ Thank you~