The transcontinental railroad allowed for the transportation of goods over long distances. This was especially helpful for the industrial north at the time.
The answer is reason.
Philosophers of the Enlightenment believed that answer can be found
through reasoning. There were two types
of reasoning during that time. You have
rationalism that relies on deduction and Empiricism which deals with
experience. It took root due to the liberal atmosphere at the time.
John Quincy Adams imposed a law that would support anything that will result in profit for the market of United States.Examples are commerce, agriculture and arts. This was his stepping stone towards making the United States become the "first and mightiest nation in the world".
I believe the answer would be Abraham Lincoln.
