Erie Canal
Thesis
Ten years after its completion, The Erie Canal paid itself off. It was considered an economic success, dropping the cost of goods by nearly 95%. The Erie Canal has broken barriers by connecting the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, heavily increasing the settlement of the interior of the U.S. and creating easier transportation networks for goods.
Settlement: Before the Erie Canal, there were no convenient ways to travel long distances to the interior of the country. However, the Erie Canal introduced a direct passage into the interior of the United States, allowing mass emigration to commence.
Barge moored on the Erie Canal in Buffalo, USA. The Erie canal was opened on 26 October 1825. Engraving, New York, 1885. (Photo by, Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Increased Trade: Without the Erie Canal, New York City would never become an economic haven. The canal allowed for much simpler shipping of goods, and allowed more goods to be harvested as newer settlements arose. [photo by Getty Images]