The Erie Canal had an immediate impact on increased trade, commerce, transportation and settlement in the west. The Canal played a key role in making New York city the center commerce in America. Design and funding of the Erie Canal The Erie Canal vision and design were created by Jesse Hawley a flour merchant. Jesse Hawley designed a Canal from the eastern shores of Lake Erie to Albany on the Hudson River. Unfortunately Jesse ended up in debtor’s prison as he became bankrupt trying to market his Canal design (New York State, ND). This however, did not stop Jesse Hawley, in 1807 he spent his time in debtor’s prison creating documents describing his plan in details, estimate the cost of the project and project benefits. These plans were presented in Washington by Joshua Forman, an assemblyman, to gain federal support and the plan was denied (New York State, ND). One of the famous quotes made by Thomas Jefferson during the proposal was "a little short of madness" indicating that they did not feel it was possible (New York State, ND). After the failed attempt the proposal was brought to Senator De Witt Clinton who became one of the most active support of the Canal project. On April 15th, 1817 the proposal was approved by the New York State legislature and the construction of the Erie Canal began (New York State, ND). …show more content…
Immigrants and people who lived along the path of the new canal route were recruited to work, even without experience. The canal was blasted and swappers were filled along the way. The tools used in the process included hand tools, horses, wagons, mules and wheelbarrows (Albany Institute of History & Art, ND). After all the work was done the Erie Canal was 363 miles long , 40 feet wide and 4 feet deep (New York State,