How and why did transportation developments spark economic growth during the period from 1860 to 1900 in the United States? The period from 1860 to 1900 was marked by significant economic growth in the United States, fueled in large part by the development of transportation infrastructure. This essay will examine how and why transportation developments sparked economic growth during this period, exploring the impact of railroads, canals, and steamships on the American economy.
During the period of 1815-1860, a Transportation Revolution swept through America (Murrin pg. 293). The improvements in transportation included more and better roads. steamboats, canals, and railroads (Murrin pg. 293). These new railroads were able to connect old communities with previously isolated areas (Murrin pg. 293). In 1815 the United States was a rural area stretching from old settlements on the Atlantic coast to the trans-Appalachian west, with transportation facilities spanning from primitive and nonexistent (Murrin pg. 294).
The telegraph was very important to the railroad and communication expansion, because it allowed railroads to safely schedule more trains. This expansion moved people and goods much more efficiently (Govinfo). In Rochester, New York, in 1851, the Western Union Telegraph Company made contracts with railroads everywhere that would expand communication all throughout the United States (Rails West). “Increasing traffic on a single track railroad lines required more efficient operation and flexibility.” The telegraph was used by the railroad dispatcher.
The major decline in railroad transportation during the 1950’s was primarily due to the vast construction of interstate highway by the government. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 authorized the vast construction of 41,000 miles of roadway with a steep price of 25 billion dollars that would come from taxpayer money. With the increase in air and road travel, the need to travel by rail, in a less direct route, seemed unnecessary. This would ultimately leave railroad companies to believe traveling by rail was in a permanent decline. On February 18, 1947, the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) formally announced that they were operating at a loss.
In 1830 the Baltimore and Ohio railroad tested a steam powered train this lead to Americans developing their own railroads.(pg. 256) Railroads helped transport goods and people move across the country faster than ever before. Railroads were used for many other things including transporting mail from one place to another. This helped people communicate with one another faster. By 1810 and 1820’s the number of letters delivered sent out went up by five million annually and cut the time in half to reach between cities and states.
Although the Pony Express didn’t last very long, it still had a huge impact in the time of the 1860’s. Between January and March of 1860, William Waddell, William Russell and Alexander Majors established the Pony Express. It was called the Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company. They then had to chose two places to set up at. Out in the east St. Joseph, Missouri and out in the west Sacramento, California.
Transportation Revolution The transportation revolution is believed to have begun in 1807 when the government seemed it was going to become active in growing infrastructure. The treasury secretary, at the time, Albert Gallatin was asked to develop “a plan for the application of such means as are within the power of Congress, to the purpose of opening roads and making canals” (W&R). This plan was not to happen and throughout this revolution the government was only responsible for a few projects. Without much government aid, entrepreneurs took matters into their own hands, creating competition.
Steamboats Steamboats in the 1800s were very important in the United states. The development of steamboats, impact on the economy, and how they worked were important to the improvement of transportation. Steamboats in the 1800s in America were very important for the shipping industry. Robert Fulton's first design was in France and his first ship was called the Clermont. This was the first form of steam travel.
Innovative ideas and technologies in transportation significantly impacted the America during, and after the Civil War. The Civil War was also drastically changed due to the amazing discoveries and innovations in transportation. Railroads were what was mainly used to supply America with munitions, troops, food, and etc. during the Civil War. America benefited from the invention of the railroad due to the ease of use for every American.
What were some forms of Communication and Transportation, linking the East to the West, during the early 1800's. To begin with, some forms of transportation were Steamboats. Canals, Roads, and Turnpikes. According to page 389, it had stated that Turnpikes are also known as toll roads, these roads were used for travel and the shipment of goods, so as a result many private companies had built these Turnpikes. Based on page 392, it says that, Canals are artificial waterways that were made by man.
Transportation During the Revolutionary War Transporting goods and supplies took a lot of time to arrive at its destination. transportation they mostly used were wagons or ships. An example of this is when the tea brought to the colonists were brought by the east india company was carried on boat. Lots of the supply routes were known so they got raided or attacked for their valuable goods. Transportation was important in American Revolution by transporting useful goods,food,supplies,weapons anything that would help out the troops and townspeople of that colonies.
The telegraph impacted 19th America by making communication between faraway places possible. It helped people with their day to day lives by giving them news, the ability to communicate with people in distant places, and information regarding things like whether their train was going to be late or not. The telegraph also laid the ground work for technology we use for communication today. Besides education, the internet has had a huge impact on life in America today.
Moshe Fogelman Essay III. At the turn of the nineteenth century, the first western pioneer farmers faced economic challenges, regarding food, clothes, and, most notably, a lacking in transportation. American transportation was so weak and slow that battles were often fought after treaties had been declared, such as The Battle of New Orleans, which occurred two weeks after the Treaty of Ghent had been signed. Despite highly influential manufacturing and agricultural developments, transportation developments in the first half on the nineteenth century had a greater effect on American economic growth as well as encouraging the manufacturing and agricultural developments.
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.
Aracely Soto Mrs.Isch Morality 10 February 2018 An improper understanding of human sexuality has led to the acceptance of abortion, sterilization ,and surrogacy. Abortion is a process where the mother kills the fetus. Sometimes there a certain circumstances for these actions, but some women think they are not ready to be a mother. Even though the fetus is still developing, doesn’t it have a life to claim?
