How important was the erie canal in in connect, unify and expand the nation

The Erie Canal is part of the New York State Canal System and it was constructed with the purpouse of creating a navigable route to connect the city of New York with the Atlantic Ocean and with the Great Lakes. Its construction was completed in 1825 and it constituted the second largest canal in the world.

The Erie Canal became a great economic engine that fostered development in the region and brought wealth to both New York and the United States.