Why did railroads have a greater impact on American society than did canals and steamboats? Canals and steamboats did not connec
t farmers to cities. Railroads cost less to build and trains provided faster transport. People enjoyed riding on trains more than on steamboats. The government funded railroad construction.
Rail roads had a great impact on society because they were a faster way of transportation and they could go from state to state. while on the other hand steamboats were slow and could not go straight through the country.
