internal improvements the transportation revolution

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