Core Knowledge: Westward Expansion Chapter 5 Canals and Railroa

What was a major limitation of steamboats in early America?

• They could only travel where the rivers ran.

• They were too expensive to build.

• They were slower than wagons.

• They could not carry heavy goods.

Who proposed the idea of building the Erie Canal?

• George Washington

• Peter Cooper

• DeWitt Clinton

• Thomas Jefferson

How long was the Erie Canal?

• 500 miles

• 100 miles

• 27 miles

• 363 miles

What was a BIG challenge in building the Erie Canal?

• Opposition from local farmers

• Lack of funding

• Frequent flooding

• No modern tools

What was the impact of the Erie Canal on Buffalo, New York?

• It became a small town.

• It grew into a large city.

• It was abandoned.

• It became the capital of New York.

What was the world's first railroad built?

• In England

• In France

• In Germany

• In the United States

What was a major disadvantage of early railroad travel?

• It was more expensive than steamboats.

• It was very dangerous.

• It could only be used in summer.

• It was slower than canal boats.

What was a common problem with early railroad tracks?

• They were made of wood.

• They were too narrow.

• They were too expensive to maintain.

• They were not standardized in width.

How did railroads compare to canals in terms of speed?

• Railroads and canals had the same speed.

• Railroads were only faster in winter.

• Railroads were faster than canals.

• Railroads were slower than canals.

Why did railroads become the most important form of transportation by the 1840s?

• They were the only form of transportation available.

• They were cheaper than canals.

• They could be built almost anywhere and used year-round.

• They were safer than other forms of transportation.