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The transcontinental railway and the impacts it had
Changes in transportation 1800s
The transcontinental railway and the impacts it had
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In the 1800s many innovations took place in America; however it was advances in transportation that changed America the most. At the start of the 19th century, there were no railroads or canals, making travel very difficult and long. Trading was also tough because there was no easy route to get to popular trading ports. Starting in 1812, the country was in a very good place and was in the process of rapidly improving. During this time, the steam engine also made an appearance in America. It helped with the invention of the steamboat, as well as the invention of locomotives. Advances in transportation during the 1800s completely transformed commerce, economic structure, the population density and had many other positive effects on America. One positive of the new transportation networks was how it made travel faster around the country. “They made travel, if not enjoyable, at least faster, less expensive, and less perilous than it had ever been. The 1830s had reduced the travel time between Boston and New York to a day and a half” (Historical Background on Traveling in the …show more content…
Early 19th Century). These new means of transportation had many positive effects; fast travel was wonderful, and much needed. With faster travel, farmers could send their goods to markets much faster than before. Entrepreneurs could quickly sell their goods all over the country and travel to ports to send their goods overseas. Cities near popular transportation routes see large population spikes as well as extreme changes in their economy and status, like New York being close to the Erie Canal. “The Erie Canal made an immense contribution to the wealth and importance of New York City, which became the chief U.S. port, and it fostered a population surge in western New York State. It also served to increase trade throughout the nation by opening eastern and overseas markets to midwestern farm products, and it opened regions farther west to settlement” (Transportation: Roads, Canals, and Railroads). Due to the Erie Canal, New York City becomes a popular trade port due to its placement near the canal, the Hudson River, and on the East Coast. With the canal built so close to the city, it received a lot of traffic with many citizens coming in and out doing business, causing the city to become a very popular port, both domestic and internationally. The creation of the canals also had an effect on the other side of America because the canal allowed farms in settlements further west to bring their goods into the city and to trade with places overseas as well as other markets on the coast. “The Erie Canal experienced unparalleled success almost overnight. The iconic waterway established settlement patterns for most of the United States during the 19th century, made New York the financial capital of the world, provided a critical supply line which helped the North win the Civil War, and precipitated a series of social and economic changes throughout a young America” (Canal History). The Erie Canal made New York extremely successful, this is because of the city’s great location. Because of New York’s success, the city became known as the financial capital of the world, which is a huge positive effect for the country. Railroads made it easier to deliver products and transport materials. With the vast amount of tracks all over the country, merchants, entrepreneurs and citizens get unlimited options for places to go in the country (See in Image 1). It is clearly visible that railroads were littered everywhere, with all of these railroads, people could go anywhere. There was track all over the country and the locomotives are capable of carrying tons of goods to locations everywhere. This helps farmers and vendors get their goods to customers, expand their businesses, and have the possibility to make more money and change the economy. Since the tracks improve the reach of the businesses, this positively affected trade and the economy, and is also a convenience for the population in general. Due to the advances in transportation, such as locomotives, steamboats, and roads, there were huge population changes all over America (See image 2). With the inventions of railroads, citizens were able to move to places farther from the coast, such as Cincinnati. In 1830 the population of Cincinnati was 24,831 and then in 1850 it grew to be 115,435; In a short twenty years Cincinnati had a 465% increase in its population. The invention of the steamboat was also very influential on the population movements. The city of New Orleans sits on the Mississippi River, a very popular trading port. In 1830 this city was home to 29,737 people, and in 1850 it was home to 116,375, which is a 391% increase of people. These large increases are because of the new technology being capable of moving people across the country. The impact of the new forms of transportation was huge; the population of cities grew and moved further west.
Travel was a lot faster around the country as well as affordable and enjoyable. New York became the financial capital of the world which was an amazing achievement for the young country. To be able to have that title given to one of its cities, this title also helped increase the amount of overseas trading that America did. New York became a very popular state and city. Because of the combination of the Erie Canal and the Hudson River, as people could travel easily along these routes. The expansion of railroads throughout the country and their ability to move tons of cargo and people all over had a huge positive effect on America because citizens could sell their goods all over and make money. All of these improvement of transportation put America on the move to great
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WriteWork. "The 19th Century 'Railroad Boom.'" WriteWork . N.p., 1 May 2003. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
Transportation improved from the market revolution through many new inventions, railroads, steamboats, and canals. Pressure for improvements in transportation came at least as much from cities eager to buy as from farmers seeking to sell. The first railroad built was in 1792, it started a spread throughout the states. Cumberland which began to be built in 1811 and finished in 1852, known to be called the national road stretched over five hundred miles from Cumberland to Illinois. By 1821, there were four thousand miles of turnpike in the United States. Turnpikes were not economical to ship bulky goods by land across long distance across America, so another invention came about. Robert Fulton created steam boats in 1807; he named his first one ‘Clermont.’ These steam boats allowed quick travel upriver against the currents, they were also faster and cheaper. The steamboats became a huge innovation with the time travel of five miles per hour. It also stimulated agricultural economy of west by providing better access to markets at lower cost. While steamboats were conquering the western rivers, canals were being constructed in the northeastern states. The firs...
This time period also saw many new inventions that would change American society forever. Such things as the telephone, radio, and television are things that the average present day American could not imagine living without. But a hundred years ago people were amazed at such things. Railroads were now able to bring people all over the country while steam ships could bring you all around the world and airplanes could let you fly. The horseless carriage turned into the automobile.
Railroads first appeared around the 1830’s, and helped the ideas of Manifest Destiny and Westward expansion; however, these were weak and didn’t connect as far as people needed, thus causing them to be forced to take more dangerous routes. On January 17th, 1848, a proposal was sent to Congress by Asa Whitney to approve and provide federal funding...
Starting with the better side the Erie Canal substantially impacted many economies across the New York state. “The Erie Canal is considered the engineering marvel of the 19th Century. When the federal government concluded that the project was too ambitious to undertake, the State of New York took on the task of carving 363 miles of canal through the wilderness with nothing but the muscle power of men and horses.” The canal changed the culture of more then 50,000 people as their lives become more revolved around a waterway system. Traveling on the canal by boat was a major change and exciting for many families as they were brought together at a cheaper cost, being able to spend more time with each other. For cities like New York City, traffic was improved greatly. “Within 15 years of the Canal's opening, New York was the busiest port in America, moving tonnages greater than Boston, Baltimore and New Orleans combined.” As for Buffalo, “freight r...
Throughout the late nineteenth and the early twentieth century, the United States economy changed dramatically as the country transformed from a rural agricultural nation to an urban industrial gian, becoming the leading manufacturing country in the world. The vast expansion of the railroads in the late 1800s’ changed the early American economy by tying the country together into one national market. The railroads provided tremendous economic growth because it provided a massive market for transporting goods such as steel, lumber, and oil. Although the first railroads were extremely successful, the attempt to finance new railroads originally failed. Perhaps the greatest physical feat late 19th century America was the creation of the transcontinental railroad. The Central Pacific Company, starting in San Francisco, and the new competitor, Union Pacific, starting in Omaha. The two companies slaved away crossing mountains, digging tunnels, and laying track the entire way. Both railroads met at Promontory, Utah on May 10, 1869, and drove one last golden spike into the completed railway. Of course the expansion of railroads wasn’t the only change being made. Another change in the economy was immigration.
The transcontinental railroad would eventually become a symbol of much-needed unity, repairing the sectionalism that had once divided the nation during the Civil War. The construction of the transcontinental railroad was also an extension of the transportation revolution. Once commodities such as gold were found in the western half of America, many individuals decided to move themselves and their families out west in search of opportunity. Not only did the railroad help to transport people, but it also it allowed for goods to be delivered from companies in the east. In the end, the American transcontinental railroad created a national market, enabling mass production, and stimulated industry, while greatly impacting American society through stimulated immigration and urbanization.
As developments were made in the transportation industry people’s lives changed rapidly. States tried to improve their roads to make traveling on them much safer and more comfortable. The federal government funded a National Road in 1808 which cost them $7 million (Faragher 386). It connected the country from east to west and allowed for easier travel across the country. This showed the nation’s commitment to developing the country and helped develop a feeling of nationalism among the people. People also moved more freely across the country. They expanded their horizons and learned more about life in different parts of the country.
Transportation advances began a unification process across the country, both economically and culturally (Roark, 262). The United States finally started to take advantage of the natural resources of the land to benefit the economy. By having water powered equipment, the growth of factories mushroomed, but at the same time, caused a great issue with working conditions and the employment of women. Financing new ventures became an important facet during the market revolution. America’s money supply grew considerably, which led to increased investment opportunities.
The Transcontinental railroad could be defined as the most monumental change in America in the 19th century. The railroad played a significant role in westward expansion and on the growth and development of the American economy (Gillon p.653). However, the construction of the transcontinental railroad may not have occurred if not for the generous support of the federal government. The federal government provided land grants and financial subsidies to railroad companies to ensure the construction. The transcontinental railroad contributed to the formation of industry and the market economy in America and forever altered the American lifestyle.
There were some very important technological advancements that had occurred at that time, but advancement and growth do not happen overnight. Some people may even reject good ideas oblivious to the fact that they could actually be beneficial! Internal improvement debates had risen and bills pertaining to the infrastructure of the country were being proposed by the government, but, unfortunately, some of them were not passed. Three bills, if passed, would have provided the building of roads. Many of these bills were overruled due to fear of monopolistic activity of the government. People supporting the states' rights were against the government getting involved in the building of infrastructure. Many republicans were looking for ways to improve the transportation system. In 1816, John C. Calhoun sponsored the federal internal improvement plan which included the building of roads, and canals, but once again, the plan was vetoed because of president Madison. However, despite the fact that things did not go as planned for John C. Calhoun he was persistent and put the plan into action. The work of building roads was funded by private businesses, the state, and local government. Later on, in the early 1800s, railroads were in the making and the invention of steamboats had come about. Last but not least, the industrial revolution also played a role in the growth of the
The greatest impacts that the Erie Canal had on America were a great increase in population, trade becoming a lot more common, but most importantly, much safer and easier travel.
Canals, steamboats, and railroads allowed for faster travel of exports and the creation of bigger cities. The invention of the Pony Express, specialized regions, and infrastructure permitted Americans to keep in touch over long distances and the creation of market towns, which inspired a deep, national connection from all corners of the country. The giant leap made by the Transportation Revolution changed America greatly in ways of their economy and
Another way the railroad system changed America was the way people went about their daily life in general. Before arrival and departure times of trains, the concept of time wasn't as important. Afterwards, however, people became accustomed to picking things up, meeting people, or getting on trains at certain times. As distance became less important, time became more important. It is this concept of time that has carried over to the time we presently live in. We are oriented around times and dates, from airline departures and arrivals to work schedules to social events. We no longer view the world as a big place that takes a long time to get from one place to another, but what time we will be there. People today are able to take more trips for fun to see friends and relatives that live away more often because of the quick traveling options we now have. This was not possible in the past.
The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, transport, and technology had a profound effect in North America. The industrial revolution marked a major turning point in history because it changed every aspect of life in America and the country as a whole. People started replacing ploughs and other tools for machines that could do twice the work. While others moved to large cities and started working in factories and other businesses. Huge industries such as the textile, steel, and coal industry came out and had a profound effect on the industrial revolution but, they would not have been extremely successful if it was not for railroads. The railroads played a vital role in the development and success of other industries. The railroads triggered the biggest leap in transportation in history. Through technological and entrepreneurial innovations and the creation of steam-powered locomotives, the development of trains as public carriers of passengers and freight, brought forth the railroad. The railroad industry changed the nature of production because it became an important energy source that replaced human and animal power. Due to the important role of the railroads, workers became more productive, items were being shipped more quickly, and resources were becoming available to everyone including the working and middle class and not only the wealthy. The railroads became to be known as one of the biggest leaps of transportation in history. This is because it set up the next fifty years of America’s prosperity. The railroads became extremely popular and useful during the 1800’s to millions of people and other large companies. Although there were many indu...