USA HISTORY

THE VIRGINIA DYNASTY 1801 1825

JAMES MADISON AFTER THE WAR OF 1812 THE ERA OF GOOD FEELINGS

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
The steamboat most affected the U.S. economy by ____
A
decreasing the need for canals
B
allowing more efficient movement of goods
C
reducing the costs of settling in western territories
D
transporting workers from southern states to northern states
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Compared to other types of craft used at the time, such as flatboats, keelboats, and barges, steamboats greatly reduced both the time and expense of shipping goods to distant markets. For this reason, they were enormously important in the growth and consolidation of the U.S. economy before the Civil War.

Detailed explanation-2: -The completion of the Erie Canal spurred the first great westward movement of American settlers, gave access to the rich land and resources west of the Appalachians and made New York the preeminent commercial city in the United States.

Detailed explanation-3: -The railroad had major advantages over previous modes of transportation, being both flexible and dependable; they were not subject to winter ice as canals were, and were faster and more reliable than steamships. This was especially important when transporting agricultural products.

Detailed explanation-4: -Soon, both railroads and canals crisscrossed the states, providing a transportation infrastructure that fueled the growth of American commerce. Indeed, the transportation revolution led to development in the coal, iron, and steel industries, providing many Americans with new job opportunities.

Detailed explanation-5: -It allowed manufactured goods to be produced at lower costs.

There is 1 question to complete.