steamboat era

The Steamboat Era, roughly from the early 19th century to the early 20th century, was a period when steam-powered ships revolutionized transportation along rivers and lakes. These steamboats enabled faster, more reliable movement of people and goods, boosting commerce and settlement in regions like the Mississippi River Valley. They replaced traditional sailing and rowing vessels, making navigation easier regardless of wind conditions. This era played a crucial role in expanding trade, fostering economic growth, and connecting communities across inland waterways, shaping the development of the United States' interior regions before the rise of railroads and automobiles.