Today, there are multiple ways to ship products all over the world. Air planes, trains, and ships. But in the 1820’s, they did not have it that easy. They used canals. It was a nice way to transport goods across America. One of the most revolutionary canals ever built was the Erie Canal. It was over 363 miles long, 28 feet wide at the top and 40 feet wide at the bottom and 4 feet deep. It connected the Hudson River and Lake Erie. It took eight years to construct. It was one of the longest canals of its time. It stimulated New York’s economy drastically. People were able to ship goods further for less money. Although the Erie Canal had its critics, it proved to be very successful.