Book Analysis Essay on "The Associates: Four Capitalists Who Created California"

Introduction

"The Associates: Four Capitalists Who Created California" is a historical book written by Richard Rayner. It talks about four mean that created the Central Pacific Railroad and the railroad industry in California. The four "Associates" that financed the construction of the transcontinental railroad include Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, Collis Huntington, and Mark Hopkins. The author demonstrates the four capitalists as by-products of a win-at-all-costs professional code inclined by the California Gold Rush. Moreover, the book portrays how the capitalists' interest in money was higher than their ambition to unite the nation through the railroad. The Associates were from Sacramento, California and rose around one hundred forty years ago. They had a ruthless ambition and extremely reedy in developing a country. They were in middle-class position, but after funding the transcontinental railroad they became wealthy and powerful. They were involved in unethical practices to sustain their position. Although the established economic development in California, their actions were not just as they bribed, lied, and wheeled to achieve their desires (Rayner, 30). Moreover, they could even kill to remove any obstacles both legal and human that were hindering their goals. The four men changed the state as it inspired people to the idea that they can achieve limitless possibilities. Their legacy is a museum, banks, public gardens, university, libraries and mansions, and to a large degree California. The building of the Central Pacific Railroad was a much-needed benefit to the country in that it provided economic stability and economic opportunity of the country. This symbiosis would be to the United States' advantage; fostering a sense of national identity.

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"The Associates"

"The Associates" were the partners who funded the project of constructing the Central Pacific Railroad (CPRR) between California and Utah. The CPRR was constructed along the east from the west in the 1860s. The US government could not fund the big project that was planned by Theodore Judah who found "The Big Four" to become partners. They include Leland Stanford who was the founder of the Stanford University and became the president of the CPRR. The vice-president was Collis Potter Hunting and Mark Hopkins the treasurer. Charles Crocker was the general overseer and supervisor of the construction. They were popular and famous businessmen who joined in the construction of the railroad to get money. Judah sent them a message that stated that they would mine pure gold from the construction. They were over-ambitious and greedy with the objective of making easy money from the project. Many thought that popular men wanted to develop California, but this was not the case. They lied to people to invest in bonds which were very expensive ($1,000 per bond) without interest. The members who refused were taken to court and forced to pay the bonds. They were not afraid of stepping on others head to achieve their goals and therefore they can be considered as the most greedy and corrupt men in society.

The actions of "The Associates" were not just as they bribed, lied, and wheeled to achieve their desires. Moreover, they could even kill to remove any obstacles both legal and human that were hindering their goals. They made a lot of fortunes out of the construction, for instance, the gained $ 36 million from unscrupulous labors. According to the Pacific Railroad chatter, the winner of the contract would receive nine acres of land and a mortgage of $27 million. Judah indicated in a telegram message that they invested $85 million while their input was $8.5 Million only. They established a Credit and Finance Corporation to recapitalize government mortgage through bonds that they owned making the state of California to pay them $3 million. They hired cheap labor from Chinese (10,000) and Irish workers (3,000) who worked at $1 per day. They were not skilled hence most of the work carried out during winter had to be redone in the spring. They were also working under harsh conditions without food and accommodation which demotivated them.

The construction of the railroads in the United States began in the 19th century and the Central perfect Railroad was the first to complete in 1969. This was a time in the history of U.S when the industrial revolution had begun and therefore there was a need to develop a cheap and fast mode of transport. The railroads were the best mode to transport people and goods across great distances. The CPRR shortened distance as the journey from Missouri River which took three months at $1,000 cost only $150 within two weeks Rayner 130). After the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad, the government of the United States funded more intercontinental railroads such that by 1871 45,000 miles after the Congress approved the Pacific Railway Act. Moreover, by 1900 the government had built four more transcontinental railways linking the eastern states with the Pacific Coast. They imported seven thousand were sent from California and five thousand laborers were from China by ship. The Chinese were desperate and therefore they were used to undertake hard task during the construction. They were the chief force of construction and accepted one dollar per day while the blacks, whites, and native laborers got paid three dollars per day for their work. They are hardworking and also cheap hence the government spent less on labor.

The construction of Central Pacific Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad opened up California to other states and the whole country as well. It connected the country for economic development as people and goods would be moved easily from one state to another. It also made transport cheap and easy for instance to travel west from Missouri River took six months before the Railroad but it took less than 2 weeks. It stimulated the development of towns and communities in the west because most people moved to seek new opportunities. It was an outstanding success and is a lasting reminder of how willpower and hard work come together for great good.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Associates" made a remarkable job in funding the railroad which opened up California. Although they claim to be proud of their achievement, they can be viewed as corrupt and greedy as their motive was not to develop the country but to enrich themselves. They used cheap labor and took states money through a mortgage. They bribed, lied, and wheeled to achieve their desires. These actions are unethical and cannot be justified. The train would carry products from the farms to the market easily to meet the market demands and eventually raise the economy of the country. The Central Pacific Railway was an economic need for California and U.S to bring economic growth and development. Many California benefited from the Railway since they easily accessed markets for their farm produce. The mode of transport became efficient and dependable compared to canoes and ox carts. After the railway was built, business in the U.S improved since many would access the market. Job opportunity was another advantage of the CPRR as workers continued with its construction and the development of towns.

Works Cited

Rayner, Richard. The Associates: Four Capitalists Who Created California (Enterprise). WW Norton & Company, 2009.