Final answer:
The invasion of steam power in the USS Princeton in 1843 paved the way for the progress in the development of steam propulsion systems, enabling more efficient transportation and contributing to American expansionism.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1843, the invasion of steam power in the USS Princeton showcased significant progress in the development of steam propulsion systems. The introduction of steam-powered ships like the Clermont by Robert Fulton, and later the USS Princeton, revolutionized water transportation by enabling boats to travel faster, cheaper, and more dependably than ever before. These vessels were not confined to natural river routes, which allowed for an unprecedented expansion of commerce and the settlement of the American West.
Steam power also contributed to American expansionism alongside other technologies such as the telegraph and the railroad, which together fueled the era of Manifest Destiny and European imperialism. During the Civil War, the North benefitted greatly from steam-powered transportation which made troop movements quicker and more efficient, drastically changing the logistics of war. Thus, steam propulsion was a key technological advance emanating from the era's transportation revolution.