Developments in Transportation Bring About Economic and Social Change in the United States in the Period 1820-1860

The article, “Creating the System: Railroads and the Modern Corporation”, informs us all about the development of the transcontinental railroad and how it helped drive the nation west and also transformed western North America into a economy that had many opportunities. The railroads have always interested me when it comes to this period of time. What I learned from the reading that I didn’t know before was that the Western railroads were primary carriers of grain, other agricultural produce, livestock, coal, lumber and minerals. Also seeing the prices that the farmers shipped their products for, and what they paid for the freights rates was very interesting. Overall, if the railroads wouldn’t have been built in a time when there was so little

During the Antebellum Period, America had tremendous growth in its economy. America was a new country and industrialization just began developing in the north. Various methods of transportation accelerated industrialization by moving goods and people quickly, efficiently, and cheaply. “Transportation was the most important business in the 19th century,” T.J Stiles told “History”. “When opportunities presented themselves they almost always were in transportation.” Americans living in the North could access cheaper crops from the south while those in the South could purchase farming tools for cheaper prices because of how easy it was to transport items. People who were responsible for improvements of transportation were Cornelius Vanderbilt, Dewitt Clinton, and John Loudon McAdam. They greatly influenced America’s railways, canals, and turnpikes.

The overall impact of the Gold Rush is seen through the effects of this population boom ­­ the population of cities like San Francisco exploded, and a huge, modern infrastructure was built to accommodate this population boom. The Gold Rush also played a large role in the desire for a Transcontinental Railroad, and is seen by many as the foundation for today’s West. However, the effects of the Gold Rush were localized to the Western States, particularly California. The countrywide effects of the Transcontinental Railroad strongly contrast the localized impacts of the Gold Rush, making the Transcontinental Railroad far more impactful on Westward Expansion due to the fact that its impact was seen in Eastern and Western

These two methods of transportation proved to be beneficial to the states by facilitating westward expansion in the North and Northwest. Similarly, the migration of Norwegians (Doc 3), Germans, and Irish established diversity in the states, which in turn influenced the way of life maintained in Missouri and other states. Coincidentally, the unparalleled prosperity of the nation (Doc 6) coincided with the cultural diversities and flourishing arts, as well as tranquility, contentment, and happiness exhibited by the population. The several modes of transportation facilitated the growth of society and settlement in the

Trains can offer an efficient way to transport goods over very long distances, it's not a surprising fact in the 1850’s T’was a time of westward expansions for the united states, as the gold rush’s of both california and nevada pushed Americans further right into the heart of the west to have them prosper into a super power.

Transportation began to fuel the American economy during the Market Revolution by adding many different ways to transport goods and to get around the country. These roads were made of mud, which happened to be quite an issue during the different seasons. In the spring,all roads turned to mud, in the summer all roads were dust and in the winter these roads were snow and ice which made it difficult to travel on. The national road was made and was the only road funded by the national government, all of the other roads were funded by private investors. The national road opened up travel through the East and the West, which began to help foster a national community. Canals were starting to expand from not only running North and South, but creating ways to get East and West as well.The farmers began an eight year long project, which was taken over by Irish immigrants and they created the Erie

The market revolution was a relatively rough time for American settlers. Life was pretty hard because of the quick, drastic changes that were taking place, but these changes also resulted in a very good factor of America that still stands today serving every citizen, transportation. So while the market revolution was stressing the Americans, there was a large book in population, and the increase of transportation, which would cut travel times by whole days at a time. The changes of the market revolution may sound like they were rushed into existence, the markets actually just naturally evolved.

As the population of the West soared and the prospects of statehood for western territories appeared clearer and clearer, the nation battled over the future of slavery in the West. This battle was one reason for the Civil War, which slowed the acceleration of expansion. However, the last three decades of the nineteenth century saw the return of accelerating expansion due to the successful struggle to contain the Plains Indians in reservations, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869. By the

The Transcontinental Railroad was one of the most ambitious engineering projects, economic stimulants, and efficient methods of transportation in the early United States. If completed, the United States would be truly be united from east to west. The purpose of this paper is to examine how the Transcontinental Railroad helped develop new opportunities for many aspects of American life.

Railroads became extremely popular in America in the 1800’s. The railroad industry itself began to boom; it was supported by its reputation for speed and efficiency. But, along with the booming industry of railroads came the strong debate that

Soon other lines followed throughout the country. Railroads affected almost every aspect of American life. The rapid spread of the railroads provided the basis for a tremendous westward movement of population. It also carried raw material to, and finish product from factories to consumers in a more efficient way (The USA online, n.d.). The railways became highly profitable business for their owners.

The transportation revolution contributed in many ways to the development of a national market economy in the United States. With the United States expanding farmers needed a way to ship and trade goods in a faster more affordable way. Interior roads such as rail roads and toll roads were to expensive. For transporters water transportation was better, it provided easy access to different areas of the country and was more affordable. The Canal Boom and the Erie Canal were by far the best form of transportation created, they both allowed easy access to port side cities and also lowered the cost of not only shipping but also products and goods.

This passage is all about transportation and how it has affected and transformed the United States. In doing this I will explain how transportation has affected the United states and our lives.

The use of railroads brought about a surge in economic and social development from the 1800’s to the present day. Railroads remain a major transportation service provider today for many commodities, as railroads remain the cheapest and most viable options for such commodities.

Throughout American history transportation has evolved to play an integral role in shaping society. In an ever changing world, transportation has helped and will continue to help shape history. From the midnight ride of Paul Revere to the very first plane, technology has changed to meet the ever increasing needs of the American Society. This evolution of American transportation in history and continues to define the continuing eras of American history. Through trials, failure, and perfecting, American inventors have shaped transportation in an ever-changing way throughout history and on into the future of America.