Ep 7. The Erie Canal

In the Modern Marvels season 9 episode 7, viewers are taken on a journey through the history of one of America's most incredible projects - The Erie Canal. The 363-mile long artificial waterway, which was built between 1817 and 1825, transformed transportation in the United States and paved the way for its economic growth.

The episode begins with a brief history of the beginnings of the Erie Canal, including the inspiration for the project and the vision of Governor DeWitt Clinton, who championed its construction. Viewers are then given an overview of the significant challenges that were harbored in constructing the canal, mainly the rocky topography of the region and the conviction that a canal of this magnitude could even be built.

The documentary features interviews with experts in the fields of history and engineering, as well as historians and enthusiasts of canal, to provide viewers with the context needed to comprehend the project's magnitude and the impact it had on commerce and trade in the United States. With an intricate system of locks and aqueducts, the Erie Canal was a remarkable feat of engineering that allowed goods to be transported safely and cost-effectively across the state of New York and beyond.

The episode explores the canal's impact on various industries, from agriculture to manufacturing, and its role in shaping the economic landscape of the United States. A great example of this is how the Erie Canal opened the vast farmlands of the Midwest first to manure produced in the East and then to the addition of a massive market for Eastern farmers, whose wheat could now be transported cheaply to eastern markets (and overseas by river & sea to England). The canal also enabled the growth of various industries situated along its route, such as paper mills, sugar refineries, and textiles mills.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to historical footage of the canal's construction and archival images, painting a vivid picture of the canal's early years and the people who lived and worked on it. The documentary crew also filmed a reenactment of a canal journey atop a replica canal boat, allowing viewers to experience what transportation by canal was like in the past truly.

The episode concludes with a reflection on the impact of the Erie Canal and its legacy more than 150 years after its completion. Since the canal was entirely self-financed and reliant on commerce for its survival, it played a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape of the northeast and the Midwest of the United States as we know it today. It opened up new economic opportunities via water transportation for farmers, manufacturers, and merchants. It also played a vital role in fostering trade connections between New York and the Midwest, providing a catalyst for the United States to become an industrial powerhouse.

In summary, Modern Marvels Season 9 Episode 7 offers a fascinating and compelling history of one of America's most significant projects, The Erie Canal. It takes viewers on a journey across the time to discover what the canal was, the forces that drove its construction, and the impact it had on the United States as a whole. This episode is a must-watch for lovers of American history, engineering, and exploration, as it presents an enthralling perspective into America's past.