Which individual aimed to construct a railroad from Chicago to California?

Stephen Douglas played a significant role in advocating for a transcontinental railroad that would connect Chicago to California. In the mid-19th century, the expansion of the United States and the need for improved transportation links were critical as the nation was growing rapidly. Douglas, who was a U.S. Senator from Illinois, heavily promoted the idea of a railroad that would facilitate not only the movement of people but also the transport of goods across the country.

His support for this project was closely tied to his political interests, as he sought to promote the economic development of the Illinois region, which would benefit from being a central hub for east-west travel and trade. The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854, which Douglas championed, was also related to the construction of the railroad, as he aimed to organize the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to facilitate the building of the line. Thus, Douglas is rightly recognized as a key figure in the push for the Chicago-to-California railroad, making him the correct choice.