c) The Erie Canal

Completed in 1825, the Erie Canal was a significant American waterway that connected the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean, playing a crucial role in the early trade and transport of goods. The canal facilitated the movement of agricultural and manufactured goods, dramatically reducing transportation costs and time. Its construction was a major engineering feat and a pivotal development in the nation’s infrastructure, spurring economic growth, westward expansion, and the rise of New York City as a commercial hub.