Hello! I'll provide a clear and concise answer to your question.
1. The federal government built the National Road to improve transportation and communication between the eastern seaboard and the western frontier of the United States. By constructing a road that linked the settled regions to the expanding western territories, the government aimed to facilitate trade, enhance mobility, and promote settlement in the new areas.
2. The invention of the mechanical reaper by Cyrus McCormick in the early 19th century revolutionized agriculture by significantly increasing the efficiency of harvesting crops. This invention enabled farmers to harvest grain more quickly and with less manual labor, thus boosting agricultural productivity and contributing to the growth of the farming industry in the United States.
