During the early 19th century in the United States, a critical focus emerged on the development of infrastructure to facilitate economic growth and national unity. This initiative, referring to projects designed to enhance transportation networks and stimulate commerce within the country’s borders, involved the construction of canals, roads, and, later, railroads. Examples of these endeavors include the Erie Canal, which connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, and the National Road, intended to link the East Coast with the western territories.
The impetus behind these projects stemmed from a desire to overcome geographical barriers hindering trade and communication. The resulting benefits included reduced transportation costs, expanded markets for agricultural and manufactured goods, and increased westward expansion. Moreover, such enhancements played a significant role in fostering a sense of national identity and cohesion by physically linking disparate regions of the nation. The issue of federal funding for these undertakings, however, became a contentious political issue, raising questions about the role of the national government in the economy and contributing to sectional tensions.
