Why Is The Telegraph Important To Communication

The telegraph needed to take advantage of the land rights railroads obtained through the government and the railroads needed the ability to communicate instantaneously to coordinate arrival and departure times. Before the telegraph, trains running in the opposite or same direction would often run into each other. According to Nonnenmacher, the railroad had two options, to double-tracking the U.S. rail system which estimated to cost $957 million or to use Western Union at $123 million. Therefore, telegraph stations would often be at the train station. At this time, small towns would form in close proximity to a train.

This can give the advantage to the other side because it knows where the enemy would be at and can have time to plan, set up, and attack. The Confederates received the information from Major General Whiting that the Union Army was preparing to march forward to New Inlet which is modern day Outer Banks. Whiting then gave commands to General Bragg at midnight on the 12th day of the month. (Bragg 131) While two days later the Union received the information for the Confederates and they received telegraphic reports from Major-General Whiting. “Telegraphic reports from Major-General Whiting received at 1:30 p.m. on the 14th instant, during this examination, represented the garrison of the fort in fine condition and spirits.” (Terry 433). The Confederates had plenty of time to meet with Whiting to plan an attack. Even though this may look like a loss for the Union due to how long it might have taken them. Every army is different with travel speed and distance. Some may catch a train or some may be walking with heavy armor and some may not have any armor on. However, something strange and peculiar happened. The Union had won the battle of Wilmington and they captured Fort Fisher. The long trip from New Inlet to walking through the swamp through the middle of the night paid off and even though they were victorious this was not a major

Transportation was a necessity during the battles and wars. Transportation that was done by horses or by foot, made for a slower and inefficient way to arrive at the planned location. Also, if the troops needed extra supplies, it must come by foot and that left room attacks where they were not prepared or have enough equipment to fight adequately. When trains and railroads were created this provided a new way of getting

The invention of railroads was an important development that aided in the industrial revolution. It aided greatly in the industrialization of nations, with its ease of transportation. To this day, we still use the railroads as a method of transit and as a mode of transportation for goods and supplies. In addition to that, it also had significant impacts to wars. In the Civil War, railroads played a direct and an important role in the outcome of the war. The railroads allowed for a faster and easier method of transportation of supplies and troops, than any other types of transportation. Another way it had an impact was by helping both sides of the war with logistical support. Lastly, it had a significant effect on the war by serving as a mean

Samuel Morse designed the Telegraph in 1835, which was used as a means of communication from Washington DC to Baltimore and later to Maryland. The telegraph was a breakthrough in the communication, and this contributed to economic growth because it transformed the long distance communication. With the introduction of the telegraph, communication was made easy as the traders and the settlers could communicate with other people across the continent. Apart from the Telegraph, the US postal service was used, which enhanced how information was shared among people thus strengthening the growth of the US economy. Moreover, the improvement of communication systems helped in information dispersal in the field of transport and agriculture (Lindert & Williamson, 2016). In addition, farmers moved into large markets where they could exchange their products with manufacturers thus expanding their trade, and advancing the American economy. Therefore, the changes in the communication systems with the use of the telegraph and postal services improved trade throughout the country thus improving the

Field commanders had difficulty exercising mission command over large armies and could not deliver critical information across the battlefield in a timely manner. Commanders had to adjust to changes in the physical environment, dealing with complex terrains and adverse weather conditions. The Union Army and the Confederate Army had to deal with economic issues, as well available resources. The first Army to implement technological advances in communications into the operating environment will certainly have a superior

The weapons, machinery, and communication changed the future of the North and the South. The biggest invention was the telegraph. The telegraph used a secret code called Morse Code that was created by Samuel Morse. Morse code was used to send letters secretly using combinations of long and short signals of light or sound. The telegraph was a way to send coded messages from one place to another in limited time. Generals used it to send messages about plans of attack and battle information. Even President Abraham Lincoln used the telegraph. President Abraham Lincoln had a special room made that was hidden from the rest of his people, where he would go to send messages to generals to give information and commands. Other Technological Advances were bullets. One bullet used in the Civil War was called the Minie Bullet. The Minie Ball was a shaped large bullet that went through enemies killing them instantly. Over ninety percent of all casualties in the Civil War were caused by the Minie Ball. Another large advance was transportation. Railroads were created to move supplies from one place to another in short time. Railroads were made from state to state to move supplies to battle

During westward expansion many people did not want to move because they did not want to leave behind friends and family. The telegraph made a way of communication that is much faster and more efficient then trains or the pony express. This gave people a greater incentive to go west because they could still talk to their friends and or family. If the telegraph was never invented, then not as many people would have migrated west which would cause the United States to possibly be weaker than it is now. Not only did the telegraph encourage people to move west, but it also helped the west become civilized because it allowed communication that allowed supplies to be transferred much faster.

The first telegraph was invented during this war to help Abraham Lincoln command troops. Since the telegraph was invented due to this war, Abraham Lincoln managed to command his troops through it over long distances. The telegraph was extremely successful during this time that it eventually became what phones are today. Many new weapons, like the first machine gun, were invented, that shoot faster and further, helping the troops in battle. Many weapons that people use for hunting and other wars today derived from the battles of the Civil War. The weapons that the soldiers used to use were single-shot guns that could not shoot far, but since those weapons have drastically improved during this war, it has changed the way people use weapons today (History.com Staff). Not only was the Civil War the reason the telegraph and better weapons were invented, but it was also the reason many machines that helped in battles were invented. Weber notes that the hot air balloon was first invented during this war in order to assist troops who were fighting on the ground, thus the reason hot air balloons are abundant today. Also, the submarine was extremely enhanced during this time in order to assist many battles along with the hot air balloons. Since these machines have greatly improved during this war, it is the reason they are more abundantly used today. All in all, the Civil War has had a

The telegraph was widely used during the Civil War, and was an important resource used by the Union. The immediate need for long distance communication was apparent on both sides. In spite of this, the corps, which at the outbreak of the war consisted of Major Meyer alone, eventually grew to some three hundred officers and twenty-five hundred men, and performed a vital service to the Union. Signaling on both sides was done with flags, rockets, flares and torches. Messages were often coded and then deciphered due to the fact that they were visible to the enemy. But these codes were changed constantly because cryptographers on both sides were constantly trying to decipher the messages. Because of this, the Union was able to keep messages coded and was able to execute maneuvers in

In the early 1860’s, new inventions and technology in the United States would completely evolve during the Civil War. One of the several technological advances at this time was the telegraph and it changed the outcome of not only the war but the future, by providing faster communication between the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln and his Union Generals. This essential apparatus was constructed by Samuel Morse and Lincoln was the first president to communicate efficiently to his generals. More importantly, this device increased the Union’s chances of winning the war since the Confederates lacked the technology that allowed information to transmit to their own troops.

Northern United States Railroad System The northern railroad system has help the north so much during the war. Without the railroads the North would have had a major disadvantage. The north relied on the railroads for so many different things. The north used them for moving troops very far and very effectively as well.

The telegraph was first widely used during the civil war it allowed the Union to communicate and coordinate directly with President

The war between United States and Mexico witnessed use of technological innovations at the strategic level. This was more evident in communication. Mounted couriers carried battle reports and were dispatched safely inside sandbags. In the period from 1821 to 1854, steamboats, railroads, and telegraphs advanced critical communications at speed beyond imagination. Tactical communications for armies remained unchanged. Drums and flags marked the progress of units. Unit at distant places received written or verbal orders delivered by the officers. The volunteer messenger formed the critical link between the commander and his command.

The North’s access to transportation devices was a very big pro which the South did not have. The North had more railroads so they could get around a lot faster than the Southern troops. This gained them a huge advantage by getting them to the next battle site faster than ever before. The South had to take horse drawn carriages or even walk to their destination. The North gained a massive advantage over the South with their transportation system.