Final answer:
The telegraph and railroad were key technologies that linked isolated areas in the United States, leading to the transportation revolution and fulfilling Manifest Destiny. The construction of roads and canals, along with the steamship, also contributed to this transformation, which was foundational to the country's rapid expansion and economic development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Technological Influences on American Expansion
The technology that linked isolated cities, towns, and settlements across the United States was primarily the telegraph and the railroad. These inventions were critical to facilitating travel and communication, leading to the transportation revolution, which helped fulfill the ambitions of the Manifest Destiny and accelerated economic growth. The establishment of roads and canals also played a significant role, with memorable developments such as the steamship revolutionizing travel by water.
Duality was present in the growth of different regions, with industrial factories dominating the northern states as they leveraged innovations like the sewing machine, while the southern states, with their reliance on slave labor, remained agriculturally focused. Yet, it was the railroads that stood out as the hallmark of American expansion, connecting territories and enabling rapid movement, not only for people but also for goods and resources, fortifying urban growth and industrialization.
The impact of technology on expansionism was global, with European powers using similar technological advances for imperialist pursuits. Nevertheless, specific advances like the telegraph, which connected continents with transatlantic cables, and the railroad were instrumental in molding the American landscape and its cities during this transformative era.