How the Erie Canal Shaped America

How the Erie Canal Shaped America: This year, the Erie Canal turns 200 years old. It is a symbol of American ingenuity and fortitude. In the early 19th century, the United States suffered from an almost nonexistent transportation infrastructure. The roads that did exist became impassable whenever it rained, with carriage wheels buried axle deep. When the roads dried, they were deeply rutted and uneven. Moving goods by wagon was very expensive because the amount that could be carried was limited.