What is the importance of the constitution in protecting and safeguarding the individual rights of people

The constitution helps to protect many of our rights. It allows you to speak freely (even if you're trashing the government), it allows you to protect yourself with a (legally registered) gun, it prevents the police from walking into your house and arresting you and your family while they steal your freshly-baked birthday cake, it allows you to choose your religion, it allows the press to voice their opinions (I'm looking at YOU Kim Jong Un!), and so much more... 
Basically, just be glad that you have it

The transcontinental railroad provided a means of fast transportation. it cut a 6 month trip into 6 days, created jobs for many people and encouraged immigration. the homestead act played a huge role in western expansion; it allowed settlers to begin a fresh start, and gave them land in exchange for their residence for up to five years and a small fee.