The Market and Transportation Revolutions The Market and Transportation Revolutions Adapting Project History Adapting Project History

November 17, 2010November 17, 2010

United States, 1789-1815United States, 1789-1815 Constitution ratified in 1788Constitution ratified in 1788 Expectations of FoundersExpectations of Founders Hamilton’s Financial PlanHamilton’s Financial Plan French RevolutionFrench Revolution Political sectionalismPolitical sectionalism Extent of countryExtent of country Population scattered,Population scattered, Population localistsPopulation localists 90 % Farmers90 % Farmers Mainly living in subsistence-barter economyMainly living in subsistence-barter economy

The United States Before The United States Before 18151815

Agricultural Staple Exporting EconomyAgricultural Staple Exporting Economy9 of 10 Americans Were Farmers9 of 10 Americans Were FarmersEconomy Undynamic, Little Change in Per-Economy Undynamic, Little Change in Per-Capita ProductionCapita ProductionSociety StaticSociety StaticMost Farmers, Subsistence Barter EconomyMost Farmers, Subsistence Barter EconomyTraditional Farm Society--Produce for Family Traditional Farm Society--Produce for Family and Local Communityand Local CommunityAs Late as 1820, only 25% of farm goods in As Late as 1820, only 25% of farm goods in North sold in market economyNorth sold in market economy

Market Revolution After 1815Market Revolution After 1815

Development of Interdependent Domestic Development of Interdependent Domestic Market EconomyMarket Economy

1815 Watershed1815 Watershed

Transportation RevolutionTransportation Revolution

The National RoadThe National Road

The Transportation The Transportation Revolution: CanalsRevolution: Canals

1816--100 Miles of Canals, Longest 27 Miles1816--100 Miles of Canals, Longest 27 MilesErie Canal, 1817-1825, 364 Miles—highest point—650 Erie Canal, 1817-1825, 364 Miles—highest point—650 feet above sea levelfeet above sea levelCanal Building BoomCanal Building Boom– Upcountry to TidewaterUpcountry to Tidewater– Atlantic to Ohio River ValleyAtlantic to Ohio River Valley– Great Lakes to Mississippi RiverGreat Lakes to Mississippi River

Pennsylvania Main Line Canal—396 miles long—Pennsylvania Main Line Canal—396 miles long—highest point 2200 feet above sea level—required highest point 2200 feet above sea level—required portage railroad to carry canal boats over Allegheny portage railroad to carry canal boats over Allegheny mountainsmountains1840--3326 Miles of Canals1840--3326 Miles of Canals

Erie Canal at Salina St.Erie Canal at Salina St.

Erie Canal and BridgeErie Canal and Bridge

Life on Erie CanalLife on Erie Canal

Pa Portage RRPa Portage RR

Pa Portage RR EnginePa Portage RR Engine

The Transportation The Transportation Revolution: SteamboatsRevolution: Steamboats

Limitations of Sailboats, Keelboats, and Limitations of Sailboats, Keelboats, and Flatboats--Pittsburgh to New Orleans, Flatboats--Pittsburgh to New Orleans, 1950 Miles, 4 Months Upstream, 1 Month 1950 Miles, 4 Months Upstream, 1 Month DownstreamDownstream

1811: First Successful Steamboat from 1811: First Successful Steamboat from Pittsburgh to New OrleansPittsburgh to New Orleans

1820 69 Steamboats, 1855 1820 69 Steamboats, 1855 727 Steamboats 727 Steamboats

Missouri River at RocheportMissouri River at Rocheport

Missouri River at RocheportMissouri River at Rocheport

Missouri River at RocheportMissouri River at Rocheport

The Transportation The Transportation Revolution: RailroadsRevolution: Railroads

Railroads: Cheap, Fast, FlexibleRailroads: Cheap, Fast, Flexible

Pennsylvania, Early Leader Pennsylvania, Early Leader

1840: 3328 Miles of Track1840: 3328 Miles of Track

1850: 8879 Miles of Track1850: 8879 Miles of Track

1860: 30,626 Miles of Track1860: 30,626 Miles of Track

Railroads, 1850Railroads, 1850

Railroads, 1860Railroads, 1860

The Transportation The Transportation Revolution: Costs and TimeRevolution: Costs and Time

1816: $9 Moved Ton 30 Miles Overland or 1816: $9 Moved Ton 30 Miles Overland or 3000 by Sea to England3000 by Sea to England

By 1860 Costs Drop by 95%By 1860 Costs Drop by 95%

Wagon Speed: 2 MPHWagon Speed: 2 MPH

Railroads: 10 to 20 MPH Railroads: 10 to 20 MPH

Cincinnati to N.Y.Cincinnati to N.Y.– 28 Days, Steamboat via New Orleans28 Days, Steamboat via New Orleans– 18 Days, Canal System18 Days, Canal System– 6 to 8 Days, Railroad6 to 8 Days, Railroad

The Interdependent Domestic The Interdependent Domestic Market EconomyMarket Economy

South: Specialized in Growing Cotton, South: Specialized in Growing Cotton, Required Goods, Services from Northeast Required Goods, Services from Northeast and Food from Westand Food from West

West: Specialized in Growing Corn, Wheat, West: Specialized in Growing Corn, Wheat, Livestock, Required Goods and Services Livestock, Required Goods and Services from Northeastfrom Northeast

Northeast: Specialized in Providing Goods Northeast: Specialized in Providing Goods and Services, Required Food from West and and Services, Required Food from West and Raw Products from SouthRaw Products from South