Final answer:
The advent of electricity revolutionized communication and transportation, reducing the impact of physical distance. Technologies like the telegraph and telephone enabled instant long-distance communication while electric transportation provided increased mobility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The advent of electricity in America had a profound impact on people's ideas about distance. Before electricity, communication and transportation were limited by the constraints of physical distance. However, with the introduction of electricity, technologies such as the telegraph and later the telephone enabled instant long-distance communication.
People no longer had to rely on physical means such as mail or messengers to send messages, which significantly reduced the time needed to exchange information over long distances. This rapid communication facilitated the spread of information, ideas, and knowledge, ultimately shaping Americans' perception of distance as something that could be quickly bridged.
Moreover, electricity-powered transportation, especially the development of electric trains and streetcars, revolutionized mobility. Electric-powered transportation allowed people to travel longer distances in shorter periods of time, making it easier to connect with others and access opportunities beyond their immediate surroundings. This increased accessibility and mobility further challenged traditional notions of distance and expanded Americans' horizons.
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