INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS The Transportation Revolution

First Turnpike Lancaster, PA By 1832, nearly 2400 mi. of road connected most major cities. Funded by states.

Cumberland (National) Road, 1811

Conestoga Covered Wagons Conestoga Trail, 1820s

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 1840

Inland 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 TAKE HOLD BECAUSE STATES SPENDING MORE $ ON ROADS & CANALS

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.]

The Railroad Revolution, 1850s  Immigrant labor built the Northern RRs.  Slave labor built the Southern RRs.

Stagecoaches The 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 From Newfoundland to Ireland