University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: No. 1420: The Erie Canal
Read about the history of the Erie Canal and the impact it had on the economy in this article, which is a transcript of a radio broadcast.
Other
New York State Archives: Erie Canal Time Machine
Take a trip back in time to 1825 to learn about the Erie Canal. Resources includes three projects that require students to look at documents and answer questions.
Other
Paintings of Carl Rakeman: 1825 the Erie Canal
This site contains a picture of a painting of the "Seneca Chief" making its maiden voyage on the Erie Canal, followed by a brief paragraph on the Erie Canal.
Other
New York State Canals: Erie Canal Map
This site has a map of the Erie Canal and lets you zoom in on different parts of the Canal to view where the locks are.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Teaching With Historic Places: The Ohio & Erie Canal
How were the canals used and what were the effects of this transportation system on daily life in the 19th century? This lesson plan incorporates the use of historic sites in the study of Ohio and U.S. history.
Curated OER
National Park Service: The Ohio & Erie Canal
This site begins with a story to introduce the Ohio & Erie Canal. Following the story is an extensive lesson plan for students to learn about the canal's structure, use, and much more. Included in the lesson are links to maps,...
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Erie Canal
Provides details about the Erie Canal that stretched for 363 miles linking the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean.
Other
Berkshire Television: Erie Canal 175 Years
This site contains some brief information on the history of the Erie Canal and the impact it had on the United States. There is also a photo gallery of historic images.
University of Richmond
American Panorama: Canals
Excellent resource maps the growth of canals and economic development in the nineteenth-century by presenting data about the commodities and products that moved across the canals and shows the spaces that canals connected.
Curated OER
Etc: The Route of the Erie Canal, 1815 1825
The route of the Erie Canal, showing the line of transportation from Lake Erie to New York City .
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Economic Growth and the Early Industrial Revolution
A very thorough look at the industrial growth in the North because of the advent of the Industrial Revolution in America. See what industries grew, how factories became more productive, and find out how the states cultivated economic...
Other
Map of New York Canals
Site has great map of the entire canal system of New York. Student can click on regions they "would like to see in greater detail."
Other
Map of New York Canals
Site has great map of the entire canal system of New York. Student can click on regions they "would like to see in greater detail."
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Lakes, Rives, & Canals
This site provides a brief introduction to the river system and canals of Ohio. Includes a history of the canal system, details and maps of the drainage throughout the state, and how the river systems are used today.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Canal Era
See how the building of canals in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio not only opened up the west by making travelling easier and joining western territories to northern states, but also transformed cities from small burgs to major...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Wake Up, America: New Modes of Transport in 19th Century America [Pdf]
A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" that examines how new technology and scientific advances of the nineteenth century changed America. Includes ideas for directing students through a...
Curated OER
Cross Section of the Original Erie Canal
Overview of the Erie Canal from its initial proposal to its completion.
Other
Cleveland State University: Bibliography of Ohio Canals
Resource offers bibliography of historic and contemporary works on the Ohio & Erie Canal.
Other
Canal Society of Ohio: Ohio's Historic Canals
Site provides information on current remains of all Ohio's historic canals including the Ohio & Erie Canal. Site also provides map of canal system.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: River Towns, River Networks
This resource provides information about communities that lived on or near water, including the canals.
OpenStax
Open Stax: On the Move: The Transportation Revolution
By reading this section of a chapter on "Industrial Transformation in the North", students will learn about the development of improved methods of nineteenth-century domestic transportation and identify the ways in which roads, canals,...
Digital History
Digital History: The Sections [Pdf]
Soon after the end of the Revolutionary War, the characteristics of the various parts of the new United States established themselves. Find out about the sectionalism, economy, and needs in the country in the early 1800s--the...
Raleigh Charter High School
Mrs. Newmark's Page: The Industrial Revolution
Take this quiz to assess your knowledge on the industrial revolution.
Ohio State University
Osu History Teaching Institute: Immigration to America in the 1800s
Young scholars will be introduced to the reasons people came to America and the different modes of transportation used for the journey. Students will follow the journey of one man from Switzerland to Ohio.