What did people rely on Rivers free for during the 18th century select the three correct answers collecting drinking water producing electricity powering ills sending telegrams and transporting people and goods

1 answer

During the 18th century, people primarily relied on rivers for the following three purposes:

  1. Collecting drinking water - Rivers were a primary source of fresh water for drinking and other household needs.

  2. Transporting people and goods - Rivers were vital for transportation, as they facilitated the movement of goods and passengers before the widespread use of railroads and modern road systems.

  3. Producing electricity - While large-scale hydroelectric power generation as we know it today didn't really develop until the late 19th and early 20th centuries, some early uses of water power for mills and similar operations could be considered a rudimentary form of utilizing river flow for energy.

"Powering mills" refers to the use of water wheels to operate mills, which aligns with the use of rivers but is a more specific case of producing power. However, "sending telegrams" is not applicable, as telecommunications developed much later.

Thus, the most relevant answers from your options are collecting drinking water, transporting people and goods, and producing electricity (indirectly through water-powered mills).