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Chronological Reasoning and Causation

Where is the best place to build a canal?

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  1. Load New Line Poster for Stage Boat Transportation, 1815 in Main Image Viewer
  2. Load New Line Poster for Stage Boat Transportation, 1815 in Main Image Viewer
  3. Load New Line Poster for Stage Boat Transportation, 1815 in Main Image Viewer
  4. Load Engraving of a Durham Boat and a Bateau on the Mohawk River, 1810 in Main Image Viewer
  5. Load Physical Map of New York State in Main Image Viewer
  6. Load Photo of Mohawk Valley in Main Image Viewer
  7. Load Map showing "Communication Between Albany and Oswego," 1772 in Main Image Viewer
  8. Load Bill for 1 new three-handed bateau, 3 oars, 4 poles, 3 paddles, 4 pikes, and 1 skoop, 1792 in Main Image Viewer
  9. Load Return, or inventory, of "Stores and Impliments belonging to the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company State of New York at Fort Schuyler the fifteenth day of August, 1796" in Main Image Viewer
  10. Load Return, or inventory, of "Stores and Impliments belonging to the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company State of New York at Fort Schuyler the fifteenth day of August, 1796" in Main Image Viewer
  11. Load Letter from George Huntington to General Philip Schuyler, Rome, July 14, 1803. in Main Image Viewer
  12. Load "Eleven Men Dug in Two Days," c. 1793 in Main Image Viewer

Suggested Teaching Instructions

 

 New York State played an important role in the growth of the United States. During the 1800s, people traveled west looking for opportunities. Economic activities in New York State are varied and have changed over time, with improvements in transportation and technology.In order to connect the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean, the Erie Canal was built. Existing towns expanded and new towns grew along the canal. New York City became the busiest port in the country.

 Students will examine the physical features of New York State and determine where it might be easiest to build a canal, and form a hypothesis about the best location. Students will compare their hypothesis with the actual location of the Erie Canal.

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