209Teddy

AMERICAN CANALS  A canal is a channel dug and filled with water to allow ships to cross a stretch of land. In the 1800's American's wanted an easier way to move people and goods. The first canals were small, only a few miles long. Then American's began building bigger canals.

 BARGE ON THE ERIE CANAL AFTER COMPLETION

 In 1817 workers started building the Erie Canal. The Erie Canal would connect the Mohawk River to Lake Erie. At first, many people thought the plan was too ambitious. President Jefferson thought the plan was "a little short of madness". But Governor Clinton of New York convinced the legislature to provide money for the canal. New Yorkers were eager to see the canal built.  In 1825, the Erie Canal was completed. It allowed goods to be easily moved acrossed the Great Lakes, along the Mohawk and Hudson rivers and into New York. New York City gained alot of trade from the West and all the towns along the canal benefited. When others states saw how the Erie Canal helped New York City, they started building their own canals.

 MAP OF CANALS BUILT ACROSS THE NATION IN THE EARLY TO MID 1800'S