American Commerce in the 18th Century

Questions and Answers

What was the value of America's exports in 1790?

$20.2 million (correct)

$10.2 million

$100.2 million

$50.2 million

What was the main obstacle to substantial economic development within the United States in the early 19th century?

Dependence on agricultural exports

High tariffs on imported goods

Exorbitant internal transportation costs (correct)

Lack of investment in manufacturing

What was the average yearly expenditure on internal improvements by the federal government during Andrew Jackson's presidency?

$1,323,000 (correct)

$3,000,000

$1,000,000

$2,000,000

Which event prompted Americans to build a new national infrastructure?

The War of 1812 Signup and view all the answers

What was the cost of moving one ton of goods across the Atlantic Ocean in 1816?

$9 Signup and view all the answers

Who emphasized the importance of establishing roads and canals under national authority in his 1815 annual message to Congress?

President James Madison Signup and view all the answers

What was the value of America's exports by 1807?

$108.3 million Signup and view all the answers

Which level of government continued to sponsor the greatest improvements in American transportation?

State governments Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

American Commerce in the 18th Century

American farmers exported foodstuffs to Europe during the French Revolutionary Wars (1793-1815)
American exports increased from $20.2 million in 1790 to $108.3 million by 1807

Internal Transportation Costs

High internal transportation costs hindered economic development in the United States
In 1816, it cost $9 to move one ton of goods across the Atlantic Ocean, but only thirty miles across land
An 1816 Senate Committee Report stated that the price of land carriage was too high for profitable production of American manufactures

Building National Infrastructure

After the War of 1812, Americans built new networks of roads, canals, and railroads
President James Madison emphasized the importance of establishing national roads and canals in his 1815 annual message to Congress
Federal government's annual expenditures on internal improvements averaged $1,323,000 by Andrew Jackson's presidency
State governments continued to sponsor the greatest improvements in American transportation

Description

Explore the growth of American exports and internal transportation costs during the French Revolutionary Wars and beyond. Discover how transportation costs impacted economic development in the United States.