In a paper, you are to write a paper that answers the following
questions to the best of your ability:

1. What is the Erie Canal’s historical importance? Why was it built? How did the Erie
Canal change commerce and trade?

2. What does Sheriff mean when she discusses the “perils of progress”? Was the Erie Canal
ultimately beneficial for New York and the United States? Why or why not?

3. Compare this book to Changes in the Land by William Cronon. How are capitalism, progress, and technology
important to each book? Compare one of these themes in your paper.