Westward Expansion Research Paper

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From 1817-1825, immigrants and native New Yorkers alike worked year round by hand and with the help of animals to complete the canal, which finally opened in October 26, 1825. Early on, horses and mules worked the canal system taking turns with boats in long shifts carrying cargo with towlines. At the beginning, the canal could accommodate thirty tons of freight. Travel on the canal to Buffalo from Albany took about five days. When traveled by stage coach, the route took about two weeks. The first group of people to travel the canal from Buffalo to Albany and then to New York City included Governor DeWitt Clinton himself.
So how exactly did this new wonder contribute to westward expansion? The Eric Canal carried immigrants westward, along