500
Transportation is often the key to changing population and geographic patterns in a region or country.
Identify two examples of advances in transportation from 1820-1850 and explain how these advances changed population or geographic patterns in the United States. (4 points)
What are:
Canals
The canal system in New York linked Lake Erie eventually to the Atlantic Ocean. This encouraged settlement and trade to the Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley. The Erie Canal increased trade to New York City. As a result it became the most populated city in the U.S.When Ohio decided to build their canal system, Irish workers moved to Ohio to build it. The Ohio canal system made it possible to ship goods cheaper to the east coast. As a result, more settlers moved to the state.
Railroads
The steam-powered trains moved goods farther and cheaper. Workers moved westward to build the new railroads.
Steamboat
The creation of the steam engine on riverboats increased the speed of moving people and/or products between locations.