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