In What Ways Did Developments in Transportation Bring About Economic and Social Change in the United States in the Period 1820-1860?

Prompt: In what ways did developments in transportation bring about economic and social change in the United States in the period 1820-1860?

The correlation between technological advancements and the general improvement of society in total is quite blatant. Transportation has had a distinguished impact on the United States throughout the course of history. It has proved to bring about economic and social changes in a number of ways. In the late eighteenth century, ancient methods of traveling were still in use in America. In complete reality, travel was often very inconvenient and unpractical for a country that had a passion to grow. America was being held back by its inability to move in an efficient manner, and Americans realized a change was needed to replace old methods. Americans were aware that if transportation advancement occurred, it would potentially increase foreign trade, increase land values as well as strengthen the American economy. In the time period of 1820-1860, a movement of industrial and transportation reform and rebirth occurred, in which many new, groundbreaking advancements occurred that allowed America to continue its growth into a superpower state.

Canals, Railroads and Roads have had a major effect on United States. The Philadelphia Lancaster Turnpike was the first important turnpike in America. It was the first long distance paved road built in the United States. It connected Philadelphia with rich farm lands in Lancaster. This road made travel much less treacherous than it had been on crude roads typical of the time period. Ease of travel has a large impact on time spent travelling, thus saving money and sparking increased economic success. It was also a success because it influenced other states to do this as well. The Lancaster turnpike influenced the creation of a turnpike called Cumberland Road. Cumberland Road, also called National Road, was the first federal highway in the United States and for several years the main route to what was then the Northwest Territory. The road spanned from Cumberland, Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois. The development of federally funded, paved highways was essential in the advancement of society and economy of the United States.

Canals had an incredible impact as well. In 1825 the Eerie Canal was opened, it began in Albany by the Hudson River to Buffalo (Great Lakes). This helped stimulate economic growth, also the tolls helped repay for the construction costs, it gave New York much needed access to the Great Lakes. Railroads changed small towns to commercial cities. Railroads began developing in the 1830s and it connected water routes when it was first created. By the 1860s there was approximately 30,000 miles of track. Capital to finance railroads came from private investors, abroad, and local governments. Fed government gave public land grants to railroads. These transportation developments have great economic and social change