Overall, the steam engine had a positive impact on the United States. But for one group of people, Native-Americans, it was nothing short of a disaster. The expansion of the railroads made it easier for white settlers to head out West and take more and more of the land that had belonged to the indigenous people for centuries.

Traveling out West by stagecoach or horse and buggy had previously been a perilous business. Those who embarked upon the epic journey often found themselves under threat from Indian attack, and many perished in the attempt. But with the development of the steam engine, all that changed. Now those white settlers who wanted to realize what they believed to be their manifest destiny could establish themselves out West in relative safety and comfort.

The steam engine affected people throughout the United States in many ways. Western farmers could ship products much quicker on boats using the steam engine. It was also possible for people to travel much quicker using boats. This was important, as travel in the West was difficult.

The steam engine helped our factories grow. With the steam engine, factories could locate in any area. They no longer needed to be located by water. The steam engine helped to increase the number of jobs available in the factories. This helped people, especially people living in the North, find work.

The steam engine helped our country grow and our economy grow. The steam engine was used to power our railroads. This made it easier for people to move to the West. As more people moved westward, businesses also moved westward to meet the increased demand for products. Thus, our economy benefited from the steam engine. With the development of the transcontinental railroad, and as railroads expanded into the South, our country also began to grow.

The steam engine had a positive impact on our country.