c) Wood

Wood was the primary fuel used by early 1800s steamboats, playing a crucial role in the era’s transportation revolution. These steamboats, a significant technological advancement, utilized steam engines powered by burning wood to navigate America’s rivers, especially the Mississippi and its tributaries. The use of wood as fuel was due to its abundance and cost-effectiveness. The advent of steamboats revolutionized trade and travel, connecting distant markets, fostering economic growth, and accelerating westward expansion. However, this reliance on wood also led to extensive deforestation along riverbanks.