We have been studying Manifest Destiny and its impact on Native Americans. We have also talked about the events that led up to the Civil War -- mainly the compromises and legislation that Congress enacted to keep the balance between Slave States and Free States. The next big topic will be the War with Mexico, but before we go there … let’s take a look at some of the innovations that made Manifest Destiny successful. Especially in terms of linking to the eastern US. Reading Guide:

What year was the Erie Canal completed?

Where was the Erie Canal built? (Between what two cities)

What did the Erie Canal do for the people in New York?

Besides canals, the railroads changed how goods and crops got shipped between the North and the West in the mid-1800s. Canals and railroads also led to new cities and demand for land along the waterway and the tracks. Roads also needed to improve. What was the name of the first highway built by the US government?

What was the Macadam method used to build early highways?

Who built the first steamboat in 1807?

The steamboat made it possible to travel both ways (with the current and against the current) on big rivers and canals. This system helped make the US more Industrialized. Write the definition of industrialization:

Explain how canals work: