Assuming that North American civilization reaches a late medieval level of technology, what does river traffic on the Mississippi look like? Egyptian lanteens? Huge human powered paddle wheels like in China? Just lots and lots of canoes? Is the river even slow enough to move upstream with sail at all?
I ask because in our history, until the introduction of the steamship most of the river traffic was actually one way with settlers building rafts to bring products downriver to market. Then they'd sell the raft for lumber and walk home. In a civilization not so focused on export to the river mouth, how are people and goods moving?
I ask because in our history, until the introduction of the steamship most of the river traffic was actually one way with settlers building rafts to bring products downriver to market. Then they'd sell the raft for lumber and walk home. In a civilization not so focused on export to the river mouth, how are people and goods moving?