Economic Expansion Between 1815 And 1860

2. In what ways did development in transportation bring about economic and social change in the United States in the period 1810-1840? Thesis: The developments in transportation in the early 19th century brought about the completion of new canals and roads, these developments linked the east to the west an example of this on page 161 in amsco is “The completion of the Erie canal in New York state in 1825 was a major event in linking the economies of western farms and eastern cities” This is showing that transportation simulates an economic dependency of the cities on the farms in which they are receiving goods from.

After the war of 1812, a revolution took over transportation, leading to the Market Revolution. People in power realized that it was necessary to improve the country’s transportation network in order to keep up with the growing economy. The invention of the steamboat brought economic development to the trans-Appalachian west. The Erie Canal, which was the longest man-made waterway, linked the region around the Great Lakes to the Atlantic coast, through the Hudson River. Additionally, railroads were built to improve the speed of commerce.

The 1860-1900 age was lacking transportation, however the sudden spark through technological growth helped solve that issue. Throughout the gilded age there was a lack of technology in the area of transportation. Most goods and resources were taken on horseback and this whole process was tedious and unnecessary. Then the transcontinental Railroad came along, this railroad changed the United States forever it allowed us to transport goods much easier then we were ever able to before. The Transcontinental Railroad was created May 10, 1869 and is 1,912 miles long.

As stated in Background information "America's economic transformation in the 1800s was linked to dramatic changes in transportation networks.” This was followed up by "The development of canals, steamboats, roads, and railroads led to the expansion of

Western Expansion Between 1860 and 1890 America has got an impressive expansion history; in particular, the western expansion is considered a central theme in its history. The greatest influence or force that has shaped the American society and democracy was its free land which intensely affected the American society as put forth by Fredrick Turner. Economists pushed for the full utilization of the American soil which consequently resulted in more worth (Quay, 2002). New cities popped up, businesses developed, railway networks built, agricultural land improved and territories and states also expanded. The expansion occurred progressively, much of the expansion took place the periods 1860 to 1890.

Like farmers, mining and logging companies needed a way to transport their products to industrial centers and found their need met by trains.” Any areas that grew crops, mined, logged, etc. would have benefited from railroads, because they would have been able to transport their products to sell. Railroads reduced the travel time required to deliver things like mail. The Library of Congress states, “After nearly 4,000 years of delivery by foot, horse, or boat, in the early 19th century the speed of mail delivery was greatly improved with the use of steamships and railroads.” Areas across the nation would have benefited from railroads because they increased the speed of mail, and this meant news would spread faster.

The Transport Web Binds the Union Steamboats helped reverse flow of goods to West and South. More canals and railroad tracks were built before the Civil War. NY became queen port of the country, it replaced New Orleans because/thanks to the Erie Canal. Divided labor emerged in the country South made cotton for New England West provided grain and livestock for the East and Europe East provided machines and textiles for South and West The Market Revolution Era of self-supporting farm changed into more modern factory-based.

Instead people choose to produces for the “market,” rather than for personal consumption. At that time Americans needed internal improvements. Because overland transport was limited,

The processes that made the Market Revolution of 1800-1840 possible were the spread of market relations, the movement of the population towards the West, and the rise of political democracy. The Market Revolution saw innovations in transportation and communication. For example, the telegraph, invented by Samuel F. B. Morse, made instantaneous communication possible. Moreover, the combination of the recently invented steamboats, railroads and telegraph lowered transportation costs, opened new land to settlements, and made it easier for enterprises to sell products. Additionally, the introduction of the railroads stimulated the market for coal, used as fuel, and for iron, used to build rails.

First, The Transportation and Communications Revolution enabled people to move their goods from one area to another at a much faster speed and at a more profitable margin (Schultz, 2013). Roadways, canals, steamboats, and railroads allowed goods to be transported much faster to markets throughout the country. In addition, at the same time that transportation was

Economic Change in America Change is relevant within every time period, however, very substantial changes took place in the Americas following the War of 1812. Future success of the American society was to be dictated by the support the federal government supplied to domestic manufacturing and infrastructure to make drastic improvements economically. The imposition of high tariffs, advancements in transportation and the development of the cotton gin are among the most important changes made in the United States during this time.

Throughout American History, revolutions in transportation have affected the American society politically, socially and economically. Soon after the war of 1812, American nationalism increased which leads to a greater emphasis on national issues, the increase in power and prevalence of the national government and a growing sense of the American Identity. Railways, canals, and Turnpikes began to increase making many people employed. The era of 1830-1860 represents a shift from agrarianism to industrialism. Overall, during the transportation revolution, construction of turnpikes, roads, canals, and railroads led to the market economy expansion, an increased population in America and alternations of the physical landscape of America.

The Tremendous Impact of Railroads on America In the late 19th century, railroads propelled America into an era of unprecedented growth, prosperity, and convenient transportation. Prior to the building of the railroads, America lacked the proper and rapid transportation to make traveling across the country economical or practical. Lengthy travel was often cumbersome, costly, and dangerous.

The building of roads, canals and railroads played a large role in the United States during the 1800s. They served the purpose of connecting towns and settlements so that goods could be transported quickly and more efficiently. These goods could be transported fast, cheap and in safe way through the Erie Canal that was built to connect the Great Lakes to New York. Railroads were important during Civil War as well, because it helped in the transportation of goods, supplies and weapons when necessary. These new forms of transportation shaped the United States into the place that it is today.

The first way to travel was on longs and home made rafts. Then they came up with a steam powered boat!! The steam powered boat ran off coal and made transportation a lot easier as you could get more people and and get them to their destination faster. What the rivers could not connect (little and medium size towns in places with no canals) the railroad came into play! These rail cars were first know as John bulls and were a steam powered train.