Document Based Question: Erie Canal

Bethpage Schools Grade 4

 

Transportation systems often have a big impact on communities. In 1825 the Erie Canal opened in New York State.

Read the documents below. For each document answer the questions that follow. After reading the documents and answering the questions, write a composition that explains how the Erie Canal affected New York State’s development.

Document A: Map of Erie Canal

 

1. What are four major cities along the Erie Canal?

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2. What waterway connected the Erie Canal to New York City?

__________________________________________________________________________

 

Document B: Chart on Erie Canal

Travel During the Erie Canal Era
Dirt Road
(freight)
Canal
(freight)
Method
Wagon

8 Horses
Line Boat

2 Mules
Amount of Time
15-45 Days
9 Days
Cost
$100/Ton
$6/Ton

 

1. How long did it take to ship freight along the Erie Canal during the Canal Era?

__________________________________________________

2. Give two advantages of using the Erie Canal instead of dirt roads to transport freight during the Erie Canal.

a) __________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

b) __________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

 

Document C: State of New York Report on The Barge Canal

 

  • New York City was ranked fourth in population in 1800 rose to first place . . . Albany doubled its population within a few years. The population of Utica increased from 3,000 to 13,000 in twenty years. Syracuse, which was described as a "desolate" hamlet of a few scattered wooden houses in 1820, became a city of 11,000 in 1840. During approximately the same period, Rochester changed from "one wide and deep forest" to a prosperous community of 20,000. Buffalo, a wilderness outpost of 200 in 1812, became a gateway to the west and its population reached 18,000 by 1840.
    •

    State of New York Report on The Barge Canal, Legislative Document 1961

     

    1. What was the population of Buffalo in 1840?

    __________________________________________________________________________

     

    2. What effect did the Erie Canal have on the cities located along the Canal?

    __________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________

     

    Document D: Photo

    Erie Canal in Rochester, New York 1907

     

    1. Where and when was this photo taken?

    __________________________________________________________________________

     

    2. Looking at the photograph, what impact did the Erie Canal have on Rochester?

    __________________________________________________________________________

     

    __________________________________________________________________________

     

     

    Document E: Engineer’s Report on Erie Canal
  • "the uniting of Lake Erie with the Hudson [will] render New York the greatest commercial emporium [city] in the world…The expense, be it what it may, is no object when compared with the incalculable benefit…For these reasons I strongly recommend the adoption of the plan."
    •

     

    William Weston, Engineer, 1807

     

    1. Why does William Weston favor building the Erie Canal?

    __________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________

     

    Composition

    Transportation systems often have a big impact on communities. In 1825 the Erie Canal opened in New York State. Write a composition explaining how the Erie Canal affected New York State’s development. Use the documents above to help you answer the question.