Steamboats were a crucial innovation as the United States expanded westward in the early 19th century because they allowed for efficient transportation of goods and people along rivers, which were the primary means of transportation in many parts of the country at the time. Prior to the widespread use of steamboats, transportation along rivers was slow and costly, as it relied on the use of oars or sails, which were at the mercy of the wind and current.
Steamboats changed all that by providing a reliable and efficient means of transportation. They were powered by steam engines, which allowed them to travel against the current and in any weather conditions. This made it possible to transport goods and people quickly and at a lower cost, which helped to stimulate trade and commerce in the West.
Steamboats also played a key role in the settlement and development of the West by making it possible for pioneers to travel to and settle in remote areas that were previously difficult to reach. They were also used to transport military personnel and supplies during the Indian Wars and the Mexican-American War.