The invention of the steamship engine brought faster and more reliable transportation. What changes did this improved transportation facilitate? Responses farmers stopped subsistence only farming and began producing cash crops farmers stopped subsistence only farming and began producing cash crops it was much more cost effective to export goods to Europe, and consequently exports increased it was much more cost effective to export goods to Europe, and consequently exports increased rapid economic growth along the Mississippi River Valley rapid economic growth along the Mississippi River Valley tourism increased, bringing a new type of economy to the Mississippi River Valley