Key Invention of the Market Revolution

During the early 19th century, the United States experienced significant economic changes known as the Market Revolution. This period was marked by a transition from a subsistence economy to one based on commercial agriculture and industrial manufacturing. The rise of transportation systems, including canals and railroads, greatly affected commerce and settlement patterns in the United States. Which of the following inventions was most instrumental in facilitating the Market Revolution by improving the speed and efficiency of transportation?