The Impact of Steam-Powered Railroads on America's Commercial and Social Landscape
The introduction of steam-powered railroads during the 19th century significantly altered both America's commercial and social landscape. Across the United States of America, the transportation, technology, communication, industrial, and agricultural sectors underwent major changes. It served as a marker for the biggest fundamental event in American history. Steam-powered railroads made it possible for steam locatives to move, which made it simple to transport goods to different locations, facilitate settlement, and foster the expansion of cities all over the nation. Now, industries could easily transport finished goods to the market while also gaining access to the raw materials needed for production. The development of the stream railroads influenced the physical development of towns and cities, making suburban life possible. The stream railroads made suburban living feasible, as it shaped the physical growth in towns and cities. It is, therefore, true to say that the steam-powered railroads changed everything in the young America during the 19th century, since the impact could be felt everywhere - politically, socially, and economically (Graham et al. 658).
The Effects on the Agricultural Sector
Before the advent of steam-powered railroads, Americans relied on wagons, horses, and coaches for transport. These were not only slow, but also were unable to carry a larger amount of goods. Fortunately, the advent of steam-powered railroads came with solutions for these shortcomings, and the effects could be seen directly on the agricultural sector in America. Farm products that were unable to move to the growing towns and cities of Midwest and Northeast could now enter the market, as they could be carried using steam locomotives. As the city and town dwellers received the agricultural products, the market expanded and resulted in more income for the farmers. Farmers resorted to large-scale farming, since they could find a market for their products. Besides, people moved from places such as Virginia, Carolinas, and the Deep South to the Western regions in the productive land to exhaust the soil, since the agricultural empire was doing well (Graham et al. 680).
The Impact on Immigration and Cultural Diversity
Furthermore, the advent of steam-powered railroads led to flow of immigrants in cities that changed the demographics of those cities. The presence of immigrants in the American cities advanced cultural diversity which impacted the regions both positively and negatively. Movement of many people in the towns during the 19th century provided the cheap labor necessary for industrialization. Also, the raw materials were able to be moved to North and South America which boosted the economy. Since the railroad system connected the Northern and Southern markets, the economy was able to grow quicker, as people were able to move to workplaces, the transportation of end products and raw materials also became easier (Graham et al. 672). But such challenges as unrest, and criminal activities emerged in the cities as well.
Economic and Social Development
The railroad had a direct impact on the development of America during the 19th century. Economical effect was significant, as quick jobs were created. It made a fertile ground for westward expansion and promoted economic progress in the whole nation. The outlook of the cities changed everywhere in the country as transport and communication became faster and more reliable. Cultural practices were exchanged due to high the rate of immigration. Cities far from East Coast were connected by railroad transport, and this reduced the congestions that were being experienced in the human-made rivers. Towns in the center of American grew, since they acted as the railroad transshipment point for goods. The advent of steam-powered railroads became a turning point in the social and economic history of America.
Work Cited
Graham, John R., Mark T. Leary, and Michael R. Roberts. “A century of capital structure: The leveraging of corporate America.” Journal of Financial Economics 118.3 (2015): 658-683.
