... the emergence of cities in 1880 was concentrated in the northeastern side of the country until the advance of the railroads. Agricultural industries in the south and mid-west 'fuelled the rest of the economy' through the cattle trade. The meat industry looked forward to expanding into international markets. However, the farming industry suffered at the hands of unscrupulous railroads, which held a monopoly on long distance transport. They exploited the farmers with high freight charges. Faced with mounting debts for machinery and foreign tariffs, industrialisation had proved to be less successful in economic terms for states which relied on agriculture.2 Without the advent of the transport system, the industrialisation process would have taken much longer. Trans continental railroads heralded a new phase of expansion for various industries. Western states were now more accessible. The railroads had a dual purpose. As well as opening up markets for buyers and sellers, they also ...

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