Table of Contents
What was the goal of the Erie Canal?
A major goal was to link Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes with the Atlantic Coast through a canal. The Erie Canal, completed on October 25, 1825 improved transportation and helped populate the interior of the U.S.
Why was the Erie Canal important to the growth of NY State?
The completion of the Erie Canal spurred the first great westward movement of American settlers, gave access to the rich land and resources west of the Appalachians and made New York the preeminent commercial city in the United States.
How did they build the Erie Canal?
The canal was built largely with raw manpower provided by Irishmen using primitive tools with very little compensation for their hard work. The men completed a canal that was 40 feet wide, 4 feet deep, and stretched hundreds of miles. It could support boats with 30 tons of freight.
Who was the governor when the Erie Canal was built?
The canal was built in sections, so portions of it were opened for traffic before the entire length was declared finished on October 26, 1825. To mark the occasion, DeWitt Clinton, who was still governor of New York, rode a canal boat from Buffalo, New York, in western New York, to Albany.
Who was the first person to propose a canal?
Updated January 29, 2019. The idea of building a canal from the east coast to the interior of North America was proposed by George Washington, who actually attempted such a thing in the 1790s.
How much did it cost to build the Panama Canal?
The canal cost about $7 million, but collecting tolls meant it paid for itself within a decade. Boats on the canal were pulled by horses on a towpath, though steam-powered boats eventually became standard. The canal did not incorporate any natural lakes or rivers into its design, so it is entirely contained.
What was the economic impact of the Erie Canal?
Erie Canal’s Economic Impacts. The Erie Canal also provided an economic boost to the entire United States by allowing the transport of goods at one-tenth the previous cost in less than half the previous time. By 1853, the Erie Canal carried 62 percent of all U.S. trade.