the transportation development described in the excerpt had which of the following effects on agriculture in the united states?

The transportation development most commonly referenced in U.S. history excerpts—namely, the expansion of railroads in the 19th century—enabled farmers to ship crops over long distances more efficiently. This shifted agriculture from subsistence farming to commercial production, connecting remote areas to urban and export markets.

Key Effects

• Market Expansion : Farmers accessed broader national and international markets, increasing crop sales and profits, as railroads reduced shipping times and costs compared to wagons or rivers.

• Cash Crop Shift : Regions specialized in high-demand crops like wheat in the Midwest or cotton in the South, boosting output but making farmers reliant on rail companies' rates and schedules.

• Reduced Local Focus : Perishable goods reached distant cities fresh, cutting waste and allowing larger-scale farming, though it sometimes led to overproduction and price drops.

Historical Context

Railroads, built rapidly after the 1830s and peaking with the transcontinental line in 1869, transformed rural economies. Before, agriculture was local; after, it fueled U.S. growth as a food exporter. This mirrors modern trucking's role today, where over 70% of ag products move by road.

TL;DR : It primarily expanded markets and enabled specialization in commercial agriculture.

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