internal improvements the transportation revolution
TRANSCRIPT
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTSThe Transportation Revolution
First Turnpike- 1790 Lancaster, PA
By 1832, nearly 2400 mi. of road connected most major cities. Funded by states.
Cumberland (National) Road, 1811Cumberland (National) Road, 1811
Conestoga Covered WagonsConestoga Covered Wagons
Conestoga Trail, 1820s
Robert Fulton & the Steamboat
Robert Fulton & the Steamboat
1807: The Clermont
STEAMBOATS
NEW ORLEANS BECOMES MAJOR PORT
MADE 2-WAY RIVER TRAFFIC PRACTICAL
QUICKER THAN ROADS
DISADVANTAGES: FREQUENT FIRES, COLLISIONS, ICE, SANDBARS
CANALS
• Even more efficient than roads for moving goods – lower costs & less time• Locks regulated the water level• Encouraged growth of cities & towns• State funding• Disadvantages: freeze in winter, dry up in summer
Economic effects?Cost of shipping a ton of grain: down from$100 to $5; time down from 20 to 6 days
THE ERIE CANAL – “CLINTON’S BIG DITCH”From Buffalo to Albany
Begun 187 and completed 1825
Principal Canals in 1840Principal Canals in 1840
Inland Freight RatesInland Freight Rates
RAILROADS
MOST PRACTICAL METHOD OF TRANSPORTATION
◦ POSSIBLE IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER
◦ ANY KIND OF TERRAIN◦ FASTEST
VERY DANGEROUS!◦ HIGH SPEEDS◦ FIRES & COLLISIONS◦ BAD BRAKES
SLOWER TO TAKEHOLD BECAUSESTATES SPENDINGMORE $ ON ROADS & CANALS
The “Iron Horse” Wins! (1830)The “Iron Horse” Wins! (1830)
1830 13 miles of track built by Baltimore & Ohio RR
By 1850 9000 mi. of RR track [1860 31,000 mi.]
TheRailroad
Revolution,1850s
TheRailroad
Revolution,1850s
Immigrant laborbuilt the Northern RRs.
Slave laborbuilt the Southern RRs.
StagecoachesThe Pony Express
Stagecoaches traveled from MO River to California◦ Calling “shotgun?”
Pony Express, 1860◦ Carried mail 2000 miles
from MO to CA◦ Stations 10 miles apart◦ Could make it in 10 days!◦ Brought to an end by?
Clipper Ships
Why short-lived?
Clipper Ships
Why short-lived?
Cyrus Field Transatlantic Cable, 1858
Cyrus Field Transatlantic Cable, 1858
From Newfoundland to Ireland