Final answer:
Canals, such as the Erie Canal in the United States, saved time and money by providing a water route for shipping goods. This was especially important before the development of efficient road and rail networks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Shipping goods on canals saved time and money in the past. Canals, such as the Erie Canal in the United States, provided a water route for transporting goods from one location to another. This was especially important before the development of efficient road and rail networks. For example, before the War of 1812, shipping goods overland in the United States was as expensive as shipping them to Europe. Canals helped reduce these costs and improve trade.