The Transportation Revolution refers to a number of developments which took place in the early nineteenth century. Specifically, the rise of mechanised transportation which enabled people to travel more effectively. It began with the first omnibus in 1827 and includes the development of canals and the railroad. Here are some important consequences of this revolution:

• The boom in transport created jobs and boosted the national economy.
• Older methods of travel, like walking and horse-riding, were replaced by faster methods which also enabled people to travel much farther.
• In industry, improved transportation lessened shipping times and allowed manufactured goods to move across the country efficiently. In 1800, for example, it took 4 days to travel by coach from New York to Baltimore. By 1830, this journey only took 1.5 days. This really stimulated American industry and encouraged the Industrial Revolution. 
• Better transport enabled people to settle in the 'Old Northwest Territory.' This resulted in the birth of three new states: Michigan in 1837, Iowa in 1846, and Wisconsin in 1848.  

What was the transportation revolution?

The transportation revolution was a time in American history when transportation within the country came to be much easier and cheaper.  This was very important to the development of the US economy.

Before the transportation revolution, goods could only be transported (in places outside of coastal areas) by wagon or downstream on rivers.  This made transportation in many places very expensive.  With the transportation revolution, all that changed.  First, there was the construction of canals that allowed two-way water transport and which connected places that had previously not been connected.  Then there were steamboats that could carry relatively large loads upstream quickly.  Finally came the railroads that did not have to follow waterways.  All of these changes (which constitute the transportation revolution) improved the American economy.