canals, roads, steamboats, r rs

Tra ns porta tion Tra ns porta tion R e volutionR e volution

Faster, cheaper, fartherFaster, cheaper, farther

• Throughout the 1800s, new inventions improved the speed and cost of transporting people and goods across the country

• The United States continued to invest in building improved transportation networks.

• Canals, roads, and railroads were built across the country to connect regions and markets, improving the economy

Tra ns porta tion R e volutionTra ns porta tion R e volution

• What good are manufactured products if you can’t get them to customers?

• Let’s take a quick look at some major changes

Ca na ls – m a n m a de wa te r route s

Connected the East with the Western Great Lakes Connected the East with the Western Great Lakes states. Provided cheap, efficient transportation. states. Provided cheap, efficient transportation.

•Transporting goods by canal was faster than by wagon. (3 mph vs. 2 mph)

•Barges could carry more than 10 tons, while wagons could handle just over 1 ton.

•Barges were much cheaper, charging 4½¢ per ton per mile. Wagons charged 12¢ per ton per mile.

wagons = slower, carry less, cost more

barges = 50% faster, carry 10X as much, cost 63% less

B a rg e s in a c tion

Loa d ing doc ks

Canals and Roads

Th e S te a m s h ip

In 1807, Robert Fulton demonstrated his steamship. His new invention was faster than sailboats and could travel in any direction, regardless of wind conditions. This new vessel made upstream river travel faster and more affordable.

Th e S te a m s h ip

• Robert Fulton invented steamship• Faster, more affordable travel by water

R a ilroa ds – wh o ne e ds a rive r?

R a ilroa ds

• As fast as steamships• Not limited to existing rivers, could be built anywhere• Connected distant region of the U.S. – increased

settlement of the western territories

R a ilroa ds c onne c t th e North

Use the previous slide (#14) and email me your results

In 1860, John has taken over his parent’s family farm. Using the new railroad, he ships 2 tons of wheat 710 miles to New York City. 1. Compare the costs of shipping the wheat via wagon vs via railroad. Which costs less? How much less?

2. Compare the time it takes the rail shipment to arrive to the time it took the wagon shipment. How much faster is the trip by railroad?