Evaluate the extent to which transportation innovation contributed to American national unity in the period from 1800 to 1860

The transportation innovation that contributed to American national unity in the period from 1800 to 1860 was the railroad, as it connected different cities all across the nation.

The United States began building and using steam-powered railroads around 1830, and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was the first railroad company to operate regular traffic. The railroad was important in the industrialization of the eastern United States, and the expansion to the west. During the Civil War, much of the southern railroad was destroyed, but it was rebuilt during the Reconstruction era.

The Trans-Continental Railroad was completed in 1869, and thereafter the American rail network grew until World War II. Thereafter, road and aviation became difficult competitors, and much of the passenger traffic disappeared.

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Answer with Explanation:

Transportation innovation greatly contributed to the American national unity by uniting the nations that were growing during those times. It provided an ease when it comes to trading because goods from the different cities and towns were travelled/transported through newly built transportations.

An example of this is the "steamboat" which was first used in the Hudson River (1807). This hastened the trading which navigated the rivers, thereby lessening the cost.

Another example is the "steam railroads" (1830). These didn't only helped with the trading but also started carrying passengers who wanted to travel from one place to another. They successfully replaced the use of horses.

Such transportations grew and connected the whole country, especially in terms of economy, culture and politics.

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