Ap Us History

In what ways did development in transportation bring about economic and social change in the United States in the period of 1820 to 1860?

Development in transportation from 1820 to 1860 was a huge key in evolving our country. It proved to bring about social and economic change in the United States. Traveling before this was very inconvenient. With the of turnpikes, steamboats, canals, and railroads It helped revolutionize the economic and social aspect of the U.S. These new improvements allowed America to continue to grow stronger in trade, westward expansion, and the growth of the market economy.

Before 1820 there was very little trade between states. The problem mainly caused because of there being no way to get there. Most people grew or built what they needed themselves, or traded locally with neighbors within a few miles. The development of roads, canals, and railroads immensely changed this, allowing manufactured goods and crops to travel more easily between States. In turn this led to a growth in cash crops that would help the economic growth. It also helped people begin to think of the United States as a whole country as they had more communication with people in other States. Before, citizens thought of their state as their own country and those from others as foreigners.

The innovations made with the new ways of travel significantly contributed to the rapid economic growth. These methods allowed products and crops to be transported quicker which grew many different types of markets. This also made transporting goods in bulk a lot easier. Merchants could expand their market to give different goods that weren’t available in their area to the people within their town.

Without the advances in transportation the huge success of the Westward Expansion in the early 19th century would not have been possible. With the United States nearly doubling in size from the Louisiana Purchase Jefferson