At the beginning of 19th century (1800s) Jesse Hawley a miller who was imprisoned in Geneva town, in New York envisaged the notion of building a canal connecting the west and the east regions of New York, this canal was to start from lake erie going and touching Hudson river. From 1807 to 1808 Hawley wrote 14 essays enumerating the benefits of the canal to the state. However, when president heard about the idea he termed the idea as “a little short of madness”. However, this idea was appealing to DeWitt Clinton who was then mayor of New York, and he completely supported the idea. During that era, transportation of people and goods was very difficult as there wasn’t any simple to transport them. Land transport was very laborious and costly. New York was merely covered with wilderness, mountains, waterfalls, swamps and great inland lake. This research paper will clearly review the Erie Canal on the basis of three fundamental issues, its construction, Clinton DeWitt contributions, and the general outcomes of its construction. After the review a brief conclusion will be provided to sum up the paper.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Construction of the Erie Canal
- DeWitt Clinton's Contributions
Objectives and Key Themes
This research paper aims to review the Erie Canal, focusing on its construction, DeWitt Clinton's contributions, and the overall outcomes. It explores the challenges and triumphs of this significant engineering project within its historical context.
- The engineering challenges and innovative solutions employed in the Erie Canal's construction.
- The political landscape surrounding the canal's development and the role of key figures like DeWitt Clinton.
- The economic and social impacts of the Erie Canal on New York State and the United States.
- The workforce and its impact on the surrounding communities
- The Canal's immediate success and lasting legacy
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage by outlining the initial conception of the Erie Canal by Jesse Hawley, its initial dismissal, and the subsequent support from DeWitt Clinton. It highlights the significant transportation challenges of the era and introduces the paper's focus on construction, Clinton's contributions, and overall outcomes.
The Construction of the Erie Canal: This chapter details the construction process of the Erie Canal, beginning with the commencement of work on July 4th, 1817, a date chosen to symbolize New York's victory in securing the project. The chapter discusses the selection of the Erie route, the innovative use of locks to overcome elevation changes, and the strategic decision to begin construction in a central section near Rome, New York. The narrative follows the project's progress, highlighting the increasing workforce, substantial financial investment, and the pivotal role of the successfully completed mid-section in propelling the entire undertaking forward. It emphasizes the canal's growing political support and its impact on immigration and employment. The chapter culminates with the completion of the canal in 1825 and the celebratory "wedding of the waters" event, showcasing the remarkable achievement considering the limited technology and workforce available at the time. The chapter also touches on the engineering challenges and how the engineers tackled the issues by utilizing existing literature on canal construction. The chapter also mentions the pay rates of the workers involved.
DeWitt Clinton's Contributions: This section focuses on the significant role of DeWitt Clinton in the Erie Canal's success. It notes how his initial support for the project, even amidst considerable opposition, ultimately shaped his career and enhanced his political influence. The chapter highlights the irony of the canal's initial derisive nicknames ("Clinton's Ditch," "Clinton's Folly") transforming into symbols of his achievement and legacy.
Keywords
Erie Canal, DeWitt Clinton, canal construction, 19th-century engineering, economic development, transportation, political influence, American history, innovation, labor, immigration.
Frequently Asked Questions: Erie Canal Research Paper Preview
What is the purpose of this research paper?
This research paper provides a comprehensive overview of the Erie Canal, focusing on its construction, the contributions of DeWitt Clinton, and its overall impact. It explores the engineering challenges, political landscape, economic and social consequences, workforce dynamics, and lasting legacy of this significant historical project.
What topics are covered in the research paper?
The paper covers the following key themes: the engineering challenges and innovative solutions used in the canal's construction; the political context and the role of key figures like DeWitt Clinton; the economic and social impacts on New York State and the United States; the characteristics and impact of the workforce; and the canal's immediate success and enduring legacy.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents includes: an Introduction; a chapter on the Construction of the Erie Canal; and a chapter on DeWitt Clinton's Contributions.
What are the chapter summaries?
The Introduction sets the stage by discussing the initial conception of the Erie Canal, initial opposition, and DeWitt Clinton's crucial support. The chapter on The Construction of the Erie Canal details the construction process, including the commencement date, route selection, innovative use of locks, strategic construction phases, workforce, financial investment, and the celebratory completion. The chapter on DeWitt Clinton's Contributions highlights his pivotal role in the project's success, emphasizing his enduring legacy despite initial opposition.
What are the key challenges during the Erie Canal's construction?
The construction faced significant engineering challenges related to overcoming elevation changes and managing a large-scale project with limited technology. The text highlights the innovative solutions implemented to address these challenges, drawing upon existing knowledge of canal construction. The substantial financial investment and the management of a large workforce are also discussed as key aspects of the project's complexity.
What was DeWitt Clinton's role in the Erie Canal project?
DeWitt Clinton's unwavering support for the Erie Canal, even amidst significant opposition, proved crucial to its success. The paper examines his political influence and how his initial backing transformed from ridicule ("Clinton's Ditch," "Clinton's Folly") into a symbol of his enduring achievement.
What were the economic and social impacts of the Erie Canal?
The Erie Canal's impact was transformative, affecting economic development, transportation, immigration, and employment in New York State and across the United States. The research paper explores these broad consequences in detail.
What are the keywords associated with this research paper?
The keywords are: Erie Canal, DeWitt Clinton, canal construction, 19th-century engineering, economic development, transportation, political influence, American history, innovation, labor, immigration.
- Quote paper
- Silva Tony (Author), 2012, The Erie Canal. Construction and contributions, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/271565
