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The Final Act of Independence

Historian John Hankey argues that the rise of railroads in the 1820s and 1830s was the decisive factor that secured American political independence. By providing reliable, low‑cost, all‑weather transport across the continent, rail mobility removed the logistical barriers that had threatened the young republic’s survival. He highlights the symbolic link between the B&O’s groundbreaking construction and the nation’s founding, noting Charles Carroll’s spade‑turning ceremony in 1828. The piece calls the 200‑year rail bicentennial an opportunity for the industry to recognize its nation‑building legacy.