Question

what transportation problem did robert fulton solve with his development of the steamboat?

○ prior to fulton, boats were too small to carry large numbers of passengers.

○ until fulton began using steam, only gas - powered boats could move along the mississippi.

○ without the steamboat, trade was conducted across roads that were overcrowded.

○ before the steamboat, trade along the mississippi could move in only one direction.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• The first option is incorrect as Fulton's steamboat was not about passenger capacity size.
• The second option is wrong because gas - powered boats were not the norm before steamboats; in fact, steamboats were a new innovation, and the idea of gas - powered boats in that era is inaccurate.
• The third option is incorrect as the steamboat was for water - based trade, not road - based.
• The fourth option is correct. Before steamboats, boats on the Mississippi relied on wind (sailboats), so they could only move with the current (one direction). Fulton's steamboat allowed movement against the current, solving this one - direction trade problem.

Answer:

D. Before the steamboat, trade along the Mississippi could move in only one direction.