USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Erie Canal, historic waterway of the United States, connecting the Great Lakes with New York City via the Hudson River at Albany.

Detailed explanation-2: -But the construction of the Erie Canal gave New York City (via the Hudson River) direct water access to the Great Lakes and regions of the Midwest.

Detailed explanation-3: -Built between 1817 and 1825, the original Erie Canal traversed 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo. It was the longest artificial waterway and the greatest public works project in North America. The canal put New York on the map as the Empire State-the leader in population, industry, and economic strength.

Detailed explanation-4: -The completion of the Erie Canal spurred the first great westward movement of American settlers, gave access to the rich land and resources west of the Appalachians and made New York the preeminent commercial city in the United States.

Detailed explanation-5: -DeWitt Clinton, (born March 2, 1769, Little Britain, N.Y. [U.S.]-died Feb. 11, 1828, Albany, N.Y., U.S.), American political leader who promulgated the idea of the Erie Canal, which connects the Hudson River to the Great Lakes. DeWitt Clinton was the nephew of Governor George Clinton of New York.