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There were many great productions and inventions during this time era, one of the most culturally evolving was the engineering marvel of the 19th century, the Erie Canal. The Erie Canal project was initially seen as too ambitious by the federal government, so the project was taken on by the State of New York. It was commonly referred to as “Clinton’s Folly” because of the political backing that was given from New York. The Erie Canal reaches from Albani, New York to Buffalo, New York. The canal links Lake Erie in the west to the Hudson river in the east. This allows a connection between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. The canal is 363 miles long, and has a total height difference of 565 feet.
It was first proposed in 1807, but the war of 1812 put a damper on the progression of the proposal through legislature. It finally began construction in 1817, and was completed in 1825, with the official opening date of October 26, 1825. During this time, water was the most efficient and cost effective way of transportation for bulk goods, and explorers were long searching for a water route west. Before the Erie Canal most bulk goods were forced to travel by land by use of work animals, which required much more time and money. The Erie Canal provided a much more efficient route for transportation of goods.
The Erie Canal also allowed New York to prosper even more than it was. It caused a surge in population in the western portion of New York, and gave western New Yorkers goods they’ve never had before such as oysters. New York surpassed Pennsylvania in population because of New York’s economic and cultural benefits caused by the Erie Canal.
Citation/s
"The Erie Canal." The Erie Canal. Frank E. Sadowski Jr., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. "Erie Canal." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Feb. 2014. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. "New York State Canals." Canal History -. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2014.
Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, Thomas Andrew Bailey, and Thomas Andrew Bailey. The American Pageant: A History of the Republic. 2002 ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002. 309-15. Print.
The Erie Canal also allowed New York to prosper even more than it was. It caused a surge in population in the western portion of New York, and gave western New Yorkers goods they’ve never had before such as oysters. New York surpassed Pennsylvania in population because of New York’s economic and cultural benefits caused by the Erie Canal.
Citation/s
"The Erie Canal." The Erie Canal. Frank E. Sadowski Jr., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. "Erie Canal." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Feb. 2014. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. "New York State Canals." Canal History -. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2014.
Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, Thomas Andrew Bailey, and Thomas Andrew Bailey. The American Pageant: A History of the Republic. 2002 ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002. 309-15. Print.