Final answer:
The railroad network provided Michigan's island farmers in the early 1800s with significant advantages, including access to new markets, agricultural technologies, and increased farm productivity, although the high costs associated with farming and the differential shipping rates provided by railroads created challenges for small farmers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The introduction of railroads brought significant benefits to Michigan's island farmers in the early 1800s. Railroads connected farmers to broader markets, making it easier and less expensive to ship their agricultural products and receive necessary supplies. With the arrival of a more extensive railroad network, island farmers had access to the latest agricultural technologies, such as James Oliver's 'chilled plow', which was more affordable and efficient for the Midwestern terrain.
These innovations greatly improved farm production for those who could afford them and contributed to the development of larger commercial farms or 'bonanza farms'.
However, the cost of starting up a farm, which could approach $1000, was a significant barrier for many small farmers. The railroad expansion played a role in the growth of the nation's economy and the emergence of a national market system. It made it feasible for farmers to participate in this economy by providing greater access to transport goods and receive supplies. Unfortunately, the expansion also led to disparities as larger business enterprises received discounted shipping rates, contrasting with higher rates for local producers which undermined the economic viability of smaller farms.
Overall, the railroad benefited those who could afford to invest in land near the railroad infrastructure but presented challenges for those without such resources, leading to a complex dynamic of economic opportunity and hardship.