Question

The canal era of American history began in 1817 with the construction of the

A) Ontario Canal connecting New York and Canada (British North America) .
B) James River and Kanasha Canal from Virginia to Ohio.
C) Wabash Canal in Indiana.
D) Suez Canal in Illinois.
E) Erie Canal in New York.

Answer 1

The beginning of the canal era in American history was marked by the construction of the Erie Canal in New York, starting in 1817 and completed in 1825, drastically transforming transportation and trade. Therefore, the correct option is E.

Step-by-step explanation:

The canal era of American history began in 1817 with the construction of the Erie Canal in New York. The Erie Canal comprises a significant part of American history, particularly in how it transformed transportation and trade. It stretched 363 miles from Buffalo on Lake Erie to Albany on the Hudson River, thus connecting the Northwestern territories to global markets. The canal was chartered in 1817 by the state of New York and took eight years to complete, opening in 1825.

Aside from its impressive length, the Erie Canal also included thirty-six locks to manage a descent of over 550 feet. This feat of engineering markedly decreased the cost and time of shipping goods and played a crucial role in the westward expansion and economic development of the United States before 1865. Its success sparked a nationwide wave of canal building, including the Wabash and Erie Canal, which became the longest canal in North America. Ultimately, the canals paved the way for the growth of cities, the spread of agriculture, and the movement of populations, particularly Irish immigrants who were among the laborers who built them.