Canals and Railroads

Erie canal

Today, we will explain the effects of technological innovations, such as

the steamboat and the erie canal

Multiple Select

Why would the construction of a canal be efficient for production, and commerce?

• It would eliminate airplane travel

• It allowed more workers to build steamboats instead of wagons.

• Water travel was a more efficient way of transport. More cargo could be more easily transporter, faster, and more connections between east and west.

Eerie Canal

Why was it built?

Was it expensive?

Did it help with efficiency?

Steamboats

Improvements in transportation also helped American industries to grow. Between 1800 and 1850, crews built thousands of miles of roads and canals. The canals connected lakes and rivers. This opened new shipping routes.

Steam boats were invented. Robert Fulton was the creator of the steamboat named the Clermont.

Multiple Select

What would be advandtages of a steam boat?

Choose 3 answers

• National trade would be more simple

• creation of more towns

• Ability to go against currents

Erie Canal

In the 1840s, builders began to widen and deepen canals to make space for steamboats. By 1860, about 3,000 steamboats traveled the country's major rivers and canals. This caused the growth of cities such as Cincinnati, Buffalo, and Chicago.

People in the western parts of the country were greatly affected by the improvements to transportation. Before canals and railroads, farmers sent their crops down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. This took a lot of time and often made goods more expensive.

Erie Canal

The Erie Canal would connect the markets of the Midwest region, to the Hudson River and finally to New York City along the Atlantic Ocean. Thousands of workers, especially Irish immigrants, built the Erie Canal. The Erie Canal opened in 1825 and caused New York City to become the largest city in the nation.

The Erie Canal and the new railroads transformed, trade in these regions. These Improvements helped businesses and consumers. Farmers and manufacturers could move goods faster and more cheaply. The Erie Canal connected the markets of the Midwest region, to the Hudson River and finally to New York City along the Atlantic Ocean. Irish immigrants, built the Erie Canal. The Erie Canal opened in 1825 and New York City became the largest city in the nation.

Multiple Choice

Completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 encouraged the growth of the Midwest because it

• linked the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Coast

• helped force the removal of British forts in the Northwest Territory

• stimulated development of cotton production in the Ohio River valley

• increased trade with Asia

Multiple Choice

Based on the map, the Erie Canal and Hudson River contributed directly to the

• Decisions to restrict immigration

• rapid increase in population in upstate New York

Poll

What term best describes working faster, better, easier, cheaper.

Making more more products faster.

• efficient

• reluctant