Aim: How did Transportation effect the growth of the United States? Do Now: It’s 1816 and you live in Albany NY and you need to visit New Orleans. Describe how you get there.

National Road = Old Cumberland Road The government building a crushed stone road in 1811 to lower the cost of shipping and travel. It first connected Cumberland, Maryland and Wheeling, Virginia. It was completed in 1818 and the road was used to transport goods and people out west. People used Canastoga wagons on the road.

National Road

Erie Canal In 1817 Governor Dewitt Clinton of NY wanted to connect the Hudson River and Lake Erie to lower the cost of shipping and travel. Digging began and the plan became known as the “Big Ditch” due to its cost of $7 million.

Erie Canal The Big Dig

First Barges Gov. De Witt Clinton Later Barges

Railroad The idea of using steam engines on land was used in to build the first locomotives (trains). In 1828 investors began to build the B&O Railroad (Baltimore & Ohio) connecting Baltimore, MD (Maryland) to the Ohio River! This created fast travel connecting the east coast to the west. Charles Carrol (last signing survivor of Declaration of Independence) was present at the ground breaking.

Railroad 9.

Steamboat In 1807 Robert Fulton built the Clermont using steam technology. His boat can travel upstream and goes from NYC to Albany on the Hudson River.

Steamboat

Telegraph In 1844 Samuel F.B. Morse invents a machine that sends electronic signals over wire. “Morse Code” first runs from Baltimore, MD to Washington, DC then thousands of miles of wire are stretched across the country. It becomes a HUGE success for communication and business as there is now quick access to information!

Telegraph