As our country grew during the 1800s so did our need for more efficient means of travel. Enter canals, steamboats, and railroads. Today you’ll find a “boatload” of enrichment resources all about the Transportation Revolution. “All aboard!”
Resource Links:
Transportation Before 1876 | A summary of the methods of transportation in the early 19th century.
Maps of the Erie Canal | Explore this site full of different maps of the Erie Canal.
Erie Canal | A History.com article about this “engineering marvel”.
Erie Canalway | Check out this website with lots of information about the canal – past and present.
Erie Canalway: Fast Facts | Get the facts on the Erie Canal with this easy chart.
Images of the Erie Canal | This archive of Erie Canal images is massive. So much to look at!
Steamboats | A National Geographic article all about steamboats.
How Do Steamboats Work? | A written description and diagram detailing how steamboats work.
Interactive Steamboat Model | Click on the arrows on the steamboat to learn about the different parts of the boat.
10 Ways the Transcontinental Railroad Changed America | Maybe challenge your students to think of a few of the impacts of the railroad before reading this list.
Video Links:
*Parents, please preview for your students first.
Changing Times – Railroads & Canals | An overview of the Transportation Revolution.
The Erie Canal | A dramatic re-telling/reenactment of the building of the Erie Canal.
The Erie Canal: Traversing the American Midwest | This 15-minute video is thorough in explaining the needs for the canal and its construction.
Erie Canal Song | Have fun sharing this classic song with your kids. The video shows pictures and images of the canal.
How a Lock Works | A short video with a group of kids explaining how locks work.
How Do Steam Locomotives Work? | Animated video clearly demonstrating how steam locomotives work.
The Railroad Journey and the Industrial Revolution | A Crash Course World History look at the impact of railroads on the world. (LMS and up)
