Introduction:
Building the Erie Canal

Picture the United States in the early 1800s. The Midwest is growing as people move westward to look for new opportunities. These new settlers need supplies from the East Coast, and they have great natural resources to send back East. Unfortunately, it's a long and difficult journey by road—especially across the Appalachian Mountains. Then, with the construction of the Erie Canal, everything changes. So what changed when this canal opened for use?

The purpose of this activity is to look at how the Erie Canal affected the geographic, economic, and political character of the United States.

Next: Looking to the West

The influx of people into the Midwest created new opportunities for East Coast cities. People in the cities wanted access to the plentiful natural resources that were available in the Midwest. They also wanted their city to become the major port for trade between the Midwest and Europe.

What might city dwellers on the East Coast need from the Midwest? What would Midwesterners need from a city on the East Coast? Think about the advantages that a port city like New York could gain from a direct route to the Midwest. It might help to think about geographic (land and environment), economic (financial), and political (national and local government) advantages.

Write down your ideas in the box below, then click "save notes" before moving on to the next page.

Next: Building the Big Ditch: Watch This!

The Erie Canal was built to provide an all-water route from New York City on the East Coast to the Great Lakes in the Midwest. The canal was the biggest public works project of its time, and New York State Governor De Witt Clinton was its biggest proponent. Because he had difficulty getting government financing for the project, he came up with a plan to use private investors. It was a brand-new approach to funding a public works project, and it was a huge success. Construction began in 1817 and was completed, early and on budget, just eight years later in 1825. The finished canal measured an incredible 363 miles in length.

Now, watch this video to learn more about the construction of the Erie Canal, nicknamed "Clinton's Big Ditch" by some. As you watch, think about the changes that the canal brought about.

Note: You will hear the following words in the video segment. Click on each word to see its definition.

• locks
• aqueducts

After watching, write down two changes that the canal brought about, in the box below, then click "save notes" before moving on to the next page.

Next: Try This!

Think about what you have seen about the effects of the Erie Canal on the growing United States. In this activity, you will consider the geographic, economic, and political changes that resulted from the construction of the canal. First, begin by sorting descriptions of these changes into the three categories. Next, think about how some of these changes relate to each other, and draw connection lines between related changes. Finally, briefly describe the connection in the comment box. (Complete directions for how to do this appear in the Flash Interactive activity.)

Click "View" on the left to begin the activity. Be sure to print your notes before you exit the activity. Your notes will not be saved.

If you want, you can watch the video again.

Building the Erie Canal

QuickTime Video
Length: 2m 35s

Next: Read and Write About It!

You have now explored how the Erie Canal was built and some of the effects it had on the U.S. Next you will have a chance to read more about this tremendous project and share your ideas with others.

• Print out your notes. (After you print, your notes will be erased. Make sure you are done before printing.)
  
  
• Print out and read How the Erie Canal Transformed America (Version A) (PDF) or How the Erie Canal Transformed America (Version B) (PDF). Check with your teacher if you are not sure which version to use.
• After reading, take a look at your chart and make any changes or add new information.
• Finally, select and complete a writing assignment from page 2 of the printout.

Note: The following words will appear in the readings. Click on each word to see its definition.

Version A

• dominant
• influx

Version B

• curbing
• dominant
• influx