The issue of building roads and canals could be said to boil down to which issue?

The issue of building roads and canals could be said to boil down to "Federalism" issue.

Explanation:

The American federalism in the antebellum period contributed to both a greater national position in rail development and more centralized railroads. Local competition between states prompted state Congressional representatives unable to construct local railroads to turn to federal aid.

Prior railway funding came from politicians from the south and frontier, who were drawn mainly into rail coalitions due to their own failure to create local rail networks. Over period, though, rivalry among coalition states and complaints about federal power led several of the coalition's initial members to retire.

an effect of the steamboat's popularity was that people began building canals in the united states and europe. this was done to find another way to transport goods across the country and in that time, transportation using the river was very slow and dangerous. it depended entirely on manpower and the current of the river. that all changed in the late 1700's when steamboats were introduced. they soon revolutionized travel and trade through the river and dominated the waterways. eventually, other means of transportation took over from the steamboats, but there was a time that they the united states to expand to the west.