How did transportation change during the Industrial Revolution?

Transportation underwent a significant transformation during the Industrial Revolution, primarily through the development of railroads and steamships. The introduction of railroads revolutionized the movement of goods and people by providing a faster and more efficient means of transportation across land. Trains enabled the transportation of large volumes of raw materials and manufactured products over long distances, which was essential for industrial growth and economic expansion.

Similarly, steamships greatly improved maritime travel and trade. They allowed for quicker and more reliable shipping routes across rivers and oceans, connecting markets and facilitating international trade. The advancements in steam-powered transportation marked a departure from the limitations of earlier modes of transport, significantly influencing commerce, industry, and personal travel.

The other options do not accurately reflect the major developments in transportation during this period. For instance, while horse-drawn carriages were still in use, they did not represent the innovative advancements that characterized the Industrial Revolution. Air travel was not invented until much later, in the early 20th century, and the extensive use of waterways for transportation continued alongside the rise of railroads and steamships, rather than being abandoned.