2. Definition
• The Erie Canal is a 363-mile-long artificial
waterway connecting the Hudson River with
Lake Erie, built between 1817 and 1825.
3. What Made it Possible
• Took 8 years to dig.
• Everyone needed more ways of
transportation.
• People realized that this would lower costs of
transportation in the long run.
4. Importance
• The canal was linked to the Hudson River from
Lake Erie.
• This canal linked the Great Lakes to the
Atlantic Ocean.
• After 12 years, the canal tolls paid for the
expenses to construct this canal.
• Other states followed in New York’s
footsteps, and built over 3,000 miles of canals
by 1837.