Sail power required wind to propel the ships. So no wind, no movement. They should have had some big oars to help them out of the dead zone.
Nominating conventions replaced the caucuses (which was led by the congress) so when nominating conventions made it to where delegated from the states could vote, it let more citizens participate in choosing from the presidential candidates, this influenced the democratic government greatly.
The answer is the Bering Strait land bridge.
To cut ties with the Native American culture and adapt to the American culture.
