Erie Canal
The Erie Canal played a crucial role in the commercial and agricultural prosperity of Rochester, a young and growing village in 1829.
The chief source of the commercial and agricultural prosperity of Rochester is the Erie canal...its capitalists both send out and import a vast quantity of wheat, flour, beef, and pork...In return for these articles, Rochester supplies the adjacent country with all kinds of manufactured goods...Thus the demands of the surrounding country must go on augmenting rapidly, and along with them, both the imports and exports of every kind will increase...There were in 1826 no less than 160 canal boats, drawn by 882 horses...Much of all this prosperity may be traced to the cheapness of conveyance on the Erie Canal...
"A Traveler Describes Life Along the Erie Canal, 1829." American Yawp.
Question 1
Briefly identify one way the Erie Canal supported the local economy described in the excerpt.
Question 2
Briefly identify one technological development that made transportation by canal easier.
Question 3
Briefly explain one way the Erie Canal promoted the market revolution sweeping the United States in the early-to-mid 19th century.
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