Railroad Construction and the Legend of John Henry

In the 1860s, the U.S. expanded rapidly with immigrants and railroads. The Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad faced challenges crossing the Appalachian Mountains, requiring tunnels. Workers, including the legendary John Henry, used manual labor and dynamite to construct these tunnels. John Henry became famous for his strength and skill, competing against a steam drill to prove human labor's superiority. Despite winning, he died from exhaustion, leaving a lasting legacy in railroad history.

What was the primary goal of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad?

• To connect New York and Los Angeles

• To link the Chesapeake Bay and the Ohio River

• To build the longest railroad in the world

• To transport coal across the country

What was the main challenge faced by the C&O Railroad engineers?

• Building bridges over the Grand Canyon

• Navigating the Appalachian Mountains

• Crossing the Mississippi River

• Avoiding Native American territories

How did railroad workers create holes in the rock for tunnel construction?

• Using water pressure techniques

• With the help of explosives only

• By hand with spikes and hammers

• Using advanced drilling machines

What was a common pastime for railroad workers during their long workdays?

• Having steel-driving contests

• Reading books

• Fishing in nearby rivers

• Playing card games

Where is John Henry believed to have worked?

• The Erie Canal

• The Transcontinental Railroad

• The Lewis Tunnel in Virginia

• The Big Bend Tunnel in West Virginia

What was John Henry known for among railway workers?

• Inventing the steam drill

• His legendary strength and steel-driving skills

• Designing the C&O Railroad

• Being the fastest track layer

What technological advancement began to replace manual labor in tunnel construction?

• Laser cutters

• Hydraulic hammers

• Steam drills

• Electric drills

What was the outcome of John Henry's competition against the steam drill?

• The steam drill won by a large margin

• John Henry won by driving his spike further

• The competition ended in a tie

• John Henry refused to compete

What happened to John Henry after his victory over the steam drill?

• He suffered a heart attack and died

• He invented a new type of drill

• He was promoted to a supervisor

• He retired and lived a peaceful life

What does John Henry symbolize in the context of the railroad story?

• The importance of safety in construction

• Human strength and determination against machines

• The power of teamwork

• The triumph of technology over human labor