How did the Erie Canal help the nation grow?

Answer 1

The Erie Canal, and other regional canals, really didn't have much impact nationally - but they did help their regions to prosper. The heyday for canals was in Britain in the mid to late 1700s, where they provided cheap and reliable transportation in regions where there were no - or very bad - roads. With a dirt road, a wagon drawn by oxen was cumbersome and slow, and couldn't carry very much. If it rained, the roads turned to mud, and nothing moved for days or weeks. With a canal, a single mule could pull several TONS, and if it rained, the canal got even better!

The Erie Canal was one of the few commercial canals built in the United States. First proposed in 1808, the canal linked Lake Erie on the west to the Hudson River on the east. Raw materials from the "west" - that's western New York State - could easily be transported to New York and the factories that lined the Hudson. And finished goods could easily be brought back "west".

Because of the elevation changes, a number of locks were required; this slowed down the canal boats. With the advent of the railroads, the canals became obsolete. Trains can easily climb shallow grades, while even small elevation changes required another lock. And it was easier to lay tracks than to dig a canal.

Answer 2

The Erie Canal helped grow America by allowing cheap transportation for immigrants seeking a home in the Great Lakes states. The Irish diggers and German stone cutters stayed in America and were joined by others from their countries to settle in America.

https://sitesandstories.wordpress.com/2015/08/05/immigrants-and-the-erie-canal/

Answer 3

He created a water route between New York City and Buffalo New York.

Answer 4

Trade stimulated by the canal helped New York City to become nation's largest city.