Advances in technology led to rapid changes in the way people lived in the country. As the United States expanded west, more people began to settle there and became necessary to improve transportation. One of the earliest advances was the construction of canals. This sped up the movement of goods by connecting waterways. Transportation systems have big impacts in communities. During the 19th century, an influential invention led to the economic growth of New York City and the State of New York. This invention was the Erie Canal. The Erie Canal made it easier to trade and ship goods from the Midwest to New York City. For example, farmers could easily transport their crops to Buffalo where they would be put on a barge. The Erie Canal played a
