Erie Canal History and Impact

In the early 1800s, trade from America's East Coast to its interior was hindered by the Appalachian Mountains. New York's business leaders, led by Governor Dewitt Clinton, envisioned a canal to connect the Hudson River to the Great Lakes. Despite skepticism, the Erie Canal was completed under budget and ahead of schedule, revolutionizing trade by drastically reducing transportation time and cost. The canal's success inspired other cities to build their own, but the rise of railroads soon overshadowed canals as the preferred mode of transportation.

What geographical feature made it difficult for merchants to access the interior of the United States in the early 1800s?

• The Mississippi River

• The Appalachian Mountains

• The Great Lakes

• The Rocky Mountains

Why did New York business leaders want to create a canal?

• To connect with Canada

• To improve local agriculture

• To establish a new trade route to Europe

• To divert river traffic from New Orleans

Who was the governor of New York that pushed for the construction of the Erie Canal?

• John Adams

• DeWitt Clinton

• Thomas Jefferson

• Andrew Jackson

What was the budget for the Erie Canal project?

• Six million dollars

• Ten million dollars

• Three million dollars

• One million dollars

How long did it take to complete the Erie Canal?

• 10 years

• 12 years

• 5 years

• 8 years

What was a significant benefit of the Erie Canal upon its completion?

• It reduced travel time for goods from three weeks to six days

• It connected New York directly to Europe

• It provided a new route to the Pacific Ocean

• It eliminated the need for railroads

What was the impact of the Erie Canal on New York merchants?

• It reduced their trade with Europe

• It limited their access to the interior

• It gave them access to America's heartland

• It increased their reliance on railroads

Which city was NOT directly connected by the Erie Canal?

• New York City

• New Orleans

• Albany

• Buffalo

What was the primary reason for the Erie Canal's initial success?

• It was the first canal in the world

• It was the longest canal ever built

• It provided a cheap way to transport goods

• It was funded by the federal government

What eventually led to the decline of canal transportation?

• The rise of railroads

• The construction of highways

• The invention of airplanes

• The expansion of the Mississippi River