Transportation Revolution

Definition Transportation Revolution: when steam power, trains, canals, roads, and bridges became new and expansive forms of transport

Why did it Happen? Industrial revolution The revolution gave created new tech. needed to create these new creations The revolution created the need to ship materials and goods

Roads In the 1700’s great advancements in road construction were made by 3 Scott’s men This included paved roads The first long distance paved road in the U.S. was the Lancaster Turnpike in Pennsylvania It was 62 miles long Was completed in 1795

Steamboats The first working steamboat was made by Robert Fulton in 1807 It was the first boat to have the ability to drive against the current It went 10 mph

"When I was a boy, there was but one permanent ambition among my comrades in our village on the west bank of the Mississippi River. That was, to be a steamboatman. -Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi

Canals The Erie Canal, the first major one, was completed in 1825 It was over 350 miles long and connected Albany and Buffalo By 1840, the U.S. had over 3,000 miles of canal

Railroads Railroads became a major investment in 1830 By 1840, 3,000 miles of tracks had been laid By 1860, it was 30,000

Time zones Trains created the need for time zones Before trains, towns and cities set their clocks based of their local high noon In 1883, railroads created Standard Railroad Time which had 4 time zones Most towns and cities followed their lead

By Boat vs. By Train Trains were – Faster – More expansive – Able to cross mountains Boats were – Cheaper – Dictated by weather – Only on major rivers