Opferman4


 * The Erie Canal: **

 **Americas First Highway** **Objective**: Analyze and explain importance of the Erie Canal. **Link:** __ [|The **Erie** **Canal**: A Brief History] __

**Answer to objective:** The importance of the Erie Canal was the Erie Canal greatly lowered the cost of shipping between the Mid-west and the Northeast, bringing much lower food costs to the Eastern cities and allowing the East to economically ship machinery and manufactured goods to the Mid-west. The canal also made an immense contribution to the wealth and importance of New York City, Buffalo, and New York State.

**Citations:** Edwards, Ben. “The Erie Canal” History Chanel. Web. 21 June 1997. Holypark Media. “The Erie Canal” Heritage. Web. 14 May 2007.