Erie Canal Aim: How did the Erie Canal and national roads improve the economy of the United States

Do Now In order to open the country west of the Appalachian Mountains to settlers and to offer a cheap and safe way to carry produce to a market, in 1808, Governor Dewitt Clinton proposed the construction of a canal. However, it was not until July 4, 1817 that Governor Clinton finally broke ground for the construction of the canal. In those early days, it was often sarcastically referred to as "Clinton's Big Ditch". When finally completed on October 26, 1825, it was the engineering marvel of its day. It included 18 aqueducts to carry the canal over ra vines and rivers, and 83 locks, with a rise of 568 feet from the Hudson River to Lake Erie. It was 4 feet deep and 40 feet wide, and floated boats carrying 30 tons of freight. A ten foot wide towpath was built along the bank of the canal for horses, mules, and oxen led by a boy boat driver or "hoggee". How can the Erie Canal help open more trade routes for the United States?

History of the Erie Canal On July 4, 1817, the Erie Canal was begun at Rome, NY. 363 miles long from Albany to Buffalo. 40 feet wide and 4 feet deep. Connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean.

Erie Canal Connected the Atlantic Coast to the Great Lakes. Horses or mules towed the canal boat Grew New York City into a powerful center of business. Established a strong trading relationship between the West and the Northeast.

"The Marriage of the Waters" by C. Y "The Marriage of the Waters" by C.Y. Turner, 1905 -- A mural decoration in the DeWitt Clinton High School, N.Y.C . depicting Governor DeWitt Clinton pouring water from Lake Erie into the ocean at New York in a ceremony celebrating the "Marriage of the Waters" between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic in 1825. Pair and Share 1. How does “marrying” these waterways improve the economy for the United States?

National Road Cumberland Road Financed by federal government Road reached Columbus, Ohio from Cumberland Maryland. Used tolls to make profit from these roads.