In the United States of America, before the 1800s, the only major revolution that had occurred had been the American Revolution. Before that, there hadn’t been any really revolutionary movements. That all changed in the early years of the 1800s, 1810 to be more precise. In that year, a new revolution had started in America, which was and is still known as the Transportation Revolution. During this period, which lasted from 1810 to 1850, things changed in the area of transportation. It was during these years that transportation had become a thing that not only became more efficient, but also cheaper. But also, the Transportation Revolution caused many things to occur later that helped America in many ways. In the end, the Transportation Revolution caused a great growth in the economy and manufacturing in the United States of America. The Transportation Revolution was of a great contribution, in many ways, to the development of a national market economy in the United States of America. In the areas of shipping, it helped reduce the cost and the time it took to ship things. This was very crucial after the expansion of the United States after the very important Louisiana Purchase because farmers needed a way to ship and trade jobs more effectively in a more affordable way. America’s first attempt was effective, but too costly in toll roads, but then Americans found water transportation to be more effective and more affordable. This was also considered to be the main reason for America’s rapid economic development. It was seen to like this because it provided easy access to different areas of the country including the interior and was more cost affective than inland transportation, like rail roads. Canals become such a big hit because of their accessibility to the major seaboard cities and rivers, like the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. The Erie Canal is considered to be the best engineering achievement for the United States. It not only lowered the cost of shipping, but also lowered the cost of products and goods. Canals started to be built all throughout rivers. Following this sudden boom, canals and steamboats increased farm income and stimulated commercial agriculture. With all the improvements that occurred with the Transportation Revolution, commercial agriculture became a huge success. With all these new developments and rapid growth in commercial agriculture, there was a need for banking. With some much distance being between transactions being made, private and state banking institutions filled the void. Therefore, the Transportation Revolution was very important to the development of America. In the end of it all, America’s economy and manufacturing received a much needed growth from the years of 1815 to 1850 with all the credit needing to be handed to the Transportation Revolution. It was crucial in the development of the country’s economy and manufacturing because of it effect in making transportation easier, quicker, and more effective. And not only did it help America at that moment in time, but also in the future, as it led to far greater things.
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