Final answer:
In 1803, the transport of goods predominantly followed trails like the Oregon Trail, roads like the Cumberland Road, and water routes serviced by the emerging steamship industry. However, the significant advancements of the transportation revolution, including the building of roads, canals, and later railroads, led to increasingly efficient shipping methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1803, the primary modes of transporting goods for western farmers involved the use of trails, roads, canals, and burgeoning steamship operations on rivers. Initially, identifiable trails like the Oregon Trail were popular routes for these farmers. However, the emergence of new technologies such as steamships and the construction of infrastructure like roads, canals, and later railroads facilitated easier and cost-effective shipping of goods.
Canals and roads started becoming widespread around 1811, beginning with the construction of the Cumberland Road, providing a route from Maryland to Illinois. By 1817, steamship operations began to increase, particularly on western rivers, and major new ports developed at St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee. These were used extensively to ship goods, especially agricultural products from the West.
By 1840, the United States saw more than 3000 miles of canals dug and steamboats became a common sight on American rivers. Together they became important in the transportation and shipping of goods.
Learn more about Transportation in the 1800s