Christine Lin Prompt: Evaluate the extent to which transportation innovation contributed to American national unity in the period from 1800 to 1860. are The innovation of transportation unified the American nation by connecting the states to make America’s government powerful. However, many may argue that these innovations only created more tension between the North and South states, not contributing to American national unity at all. Nonetheless, transportation gave people more opportunities to get a job and therefore helped the American economy prosper. Westward expansion was a goal that the government wanted to accomplish, and the new transportation advancements paved the way for that to happen. Connection played a big part in supporting …show more content…
Furthermore, it is also similar to the highways of today, which is a major road that links places throughout the country together. America continues to build highways each year for the sole purpose of connection and efficiency, and in return, grow as a unified nation. In addition, Document 3, a letter from Thomas Jefferson, states, “Under the power to regulate Commerce they assume indefinitely that also over agriculture and manufactures. . . . Under the authority to establish post roads, they claim that of cutting down mountains for the construction of roads, of digging canals, and, aided by a little sophistry on the words “general welfare” a right to do, not only the acts to effect that which are specifically enumerated and permitted, but whatsoever they shall think, or pretend will be for the general welfare. . . . The states should be watchful to note every material usurpation on their rights, [and] to denounce them as they occur.” To summarize, Jefferson is afraid that letting the government regulate commerce will give them too much power and eventually they will abuse it. This shows that with the increase in trade through transportation innovation, the national government will gain power. Although risky, a strong central government will unify the