Binding the Republic Together
Cobblestone American History Magazine for Kids|September 2023
John C. Calhoun of South Carolina addressed his fellow legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives in February 1817 with these words: "Let us... bind the Republic together with a perfect system of roads and canals. Let us conquer space."
Meg Greene and Will Bremen
Binding the Republic Together

The sentiments Calhoun expressed were popular throughout the country. Traveling on American roads and turnpikes in the early 19th century was difficult, time-consuming, and costly. Roads and turnpikes often were no more than unpaved paths carved through the wilderness. If they were paved at all, it was usually with crushed stone packed down by the weight of the wagons that passed over them.

Water transportation was more popular and less expensive. Initially, boats were powered by wind (sail) or manpower (manned oars). In 1807, Robert Fulton introduced the first successful steamboat. Steamboats had a dramatic impact on water transportation. They were well suited to traveling on American rivers. The vessels were flat, speedy, and able to maneuver in shallow water.

In his inaugural address in March 1817, President James Monroe echoed Calhoun's message. "We can not fail to entertain ... the advantage to be derived from... good roads and canals," he said.

Calhoun and Monroe's words seemed to spark a transportation revolution overnight. Americans were eager to expand westward. They also wanted to reach more markets for trade. Those interests added to the general support for improved transportation.

This story is from the September 2023 edition of Cobblestone American History Magazine for Kids.

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This story is from the September 2023 edition of Cobblestone American History Magazine for Kids.

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