Diary Entry on Erie Canal

Assignment: write diary entry as person assigned in class (settler) on positive/negative effects on the Erie Canal.

As a settler, the Erie Canal was greatly beneficial for me. It posed many positive economic effects, as well as some positive social effects. Due to the Erie Canal, the costs of shipping have gone down and created a bigger industry for goods. Things like books and newspapers are in higher demand to be printed because they're less expensive. Before the Erie Canal, workers had to shovel grain and transport it by carrying it; now a conveyor scoops and transports the grain, which is much more efficient. Industry is also boosted by steam engines and lots of merchandise. In fact, Syracuse has since become a large industrial center, which wouldn't have happened without the Erie Canal. All of this new industry and lower shipping costs have improved settlers' standard of living. The only downside to the Erie Canal that I can see is the increased pollution to the lakes.