Final answer:
Robert Fulton wanted to transform America by introducing steamboats as a faster, more cost-effective, and reliable mode of transportation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Robert Fulton wanted to transform America by introducing steamboats as a new mode of transportation. He built the first successful steamship in the United States, the Clermont, in 1807. The steamboat revolutionized water transportation by being faster, more cost-effective, and more reliable than sail-powered boats.
Fulton's steamboat service on the Hudson River and later on the Mississippi River opened up new possibilities for trade and settlement in America. The steamboat facilitated the rapid economic development of the Mississippi River Valley and the expansion of the West. It also led to the dominance of steamboats in transportation of goods and passengers on rivers from 1815 to 1860.
Overall, Fulton's steamboats played a crucial role in transforming America by connecting various regions, boosting trade, and contributing to economic growth.