In: History
How did the Transportation Revolution transform the American economy and society?
The transportation sector in the United States is highly developed compared to other nations of the world. The industry is facilitated by the air, rail, and waterways, including boats and ships, and roads. The improved transport boosted domestic and international trade by introducing railways, canals, advanced roads, and modern means of air transport. The economy rapidly grew from the several benefits realized (Taylor & George, 2015). The steamboat invention in the 1820s and 1830s acted as an essential domestic tool in the freight shipment in the United States.
There was a significant increase in consumer goods in the markets, and the agricultural-based economy transited to machine-based manufacturing, attracting more population in the industrial established zones hence towns and cities. The transport sector itself acted as the source of income to owners of the machines like boats and ships that ferried people, whereas the employees also managed the devices earned via the work (Taylor & George, 2015). The revolution drastically changed society; people learned to visit new places and set residential areas, while others migrated to urban areas to seek employment.
The transportation sector in the United States is highly developed compared to other nations of the world.