2. What was it and Why? The newly formed nation needed to improve transportation beyond the great barrier of the Appalachian Mountains into the states west of the mountains. Many proposals and surveys were given Finally a plan for the Erie* canal was accepted in 1816. It was to be a canal linking the Hudson river and Lake Erie. *Named after lake Erie.
3. It Begins… The first step was to obtain funds. When the bill was presented to congress, they easily approved. Unfortunately, president James Monroe didn’t, and vetoed the bill. The new York state legislator took matters into their own hands and approved state funding of the canal. The canal tolls would pay back the treasury. (They were abolished in 1882, when the tolls paid for the canal) . Construction begins, July 4th, 1817 and ended on May 17 1821. James Monroe
4. Importance The labour was provided by thousands of British German and Irish immigrants. Their wages, 80 cents to a dollar a day, was better than their normal jobs. Before the canal, the cost to ship one ton of goods from Buffalo to New York City cost $100. After, the same ton could be shipped for a mere $10. This allowed Chicago to become a industrial powerhouse thanks to the shipping options the Erie canal provided.
