Help me to remember an instance of federal investment in ANY infrastructure prior to Lincoln's subsidies to the transcontinental railroads. Which were jerry-built and unprofitable, except for the Northern Pacific, which took no subsidies.
I asked AI: list the infrastucture projects which received federal help before 1860.
Answer
Prior to 1860, the federal government provided assistance for various infrastructure projects, including:
Roads: The federal government funded the construction of roads, such as the Cumberland Road, a national highway that connected Cumberland, Maryland, and Vandalia, Illinois
Canals: Federal support was provided for the construction of canals, including the Erie Canal, which was a major waterway connecting the Great Lakes to the Hudson River
Rivers and Harbors: The government allocated funds for river and harbor projects to improve navigation and facilitate trade and transportation
Aids to Navigation: Investments were made in erecting lighthouses and other aids to navigation to ensure safe maritime transportation
These infrastructure investments were aimed at improving transportation, fostering economic growth, and promoting national unity