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The Monroe Doctrine was meant to dissuade the Spanish from attempting to recapture any of their former colonies in South America. It stated: "The American continents are henceforth not to be considered the subjects for future colonization by any European powers." |
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1825 Erie Canal Opened
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President Jefferson was one of the first to promote the use of federal funds for internal improvements. The idea of building the Erie Canal was the work of New York's governor, De Witt Clinton. In 1810, Clinton formed a committee to lobby for the approval of the construction of the canal.
In 1815, Clinton formally petitioned Congress for the funds necessary to construct the canal. On April 17, 1816, these funds were allocated by Congress. Clinton served as governor and chairman of the canal commission for majority of the period during which the canal was under construction.
The Erie Canal consisted of a series of 83 locks along a 363-mile course. The opening of this canal made it possible for people and goods to travel as far west as Minnesota by barge and ship, substantially opening up the West to settlement.
It was not until 1852 that trains began traversing the Appalachian mountains, and could compete with the canal. |
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