Goals/Objectives

1. Explain the significance of the development of the I&M Canal.

2. Produce a 2-3 page document based essay using a minimum of eight documents.

Procedures

1. Present a one class period introduction to the “era of canal building (1815-60) in the US and relevant background to the American system.

2. Distribute packet of documents to the students

3. Request the students write a 2-3 page document based essay using a minimum of eight documents answering one of the following questions:

How did the I&M canal transform the region it served between 1848 and 1910?
How and by whom was the I&M canal built? Be sure to identify geographical, political, social and economic aspects of the Canal’s construction.
How was the impact of lifespan of the I&M Canal reflective of American history between 1850-1910? Topics that need to be addressed include the arrival and role of the railroads, contributions of minorities and economic outcomes.

Materials

1. Document 1 – An Act Granting Federal Land for Canal purposes

2. Principals Canals of the Ante-bellum period map

3. Canal Land Sale Certificates, Springfield.

4. Letter from James Brooks to the Canal Commissioners Concerning Irish Rioters

5. Wanted Canal Workers – Wrap up Reading

6. Canal Scrip

7. Partial Statement of Good Cleared Along the Canal

8. Letter from William Gooding to Leavitt Concerning Canal Expenditures and the Severe Winter.

9. Tools Established Upon the I&M Canal for the year 1848

10. Packet Boat on the Erie Canal

11. Early Scene along the I&M Canal

12. Leading Commodities transported on the I&M Canal and the total tolls received at Chicago, Lockport, Ottawa, and LaSalle.

13. Annual Receipt of wheat and corn at Chicago and St. Louis

14. Letter of Complaint from R. Oliver of the Great Western Cereal Company to Canal Officers

15. Canal Celebration at Chicago on the 4^th of July

8-9 Points

· Contains a well-developed thesis regarding the significance of the I&M canal.

· Supports the thesis with substantial relevant information.,

· Provides an effective analysis of the question over the time frame.

· May contain minor errors

· Is well-organized and well written

5-7 Points

· Contains a thesis that addresses the question asked.

· Supports the thesis with some relevant information

· Provides some analysis of the question over time; treatment of the time frame or issues may be uneven.

· May contain errors that do not seriously detract from the essay

· Has acceptable organization and quality of writing

2-4 Points

· May contain a confused or unfocused thesis or may simply paraphrase the statement

· Provides minimal relevant information or merely states facts.

· Provides little or no analysis; mostly generalizations.

· May contain major errors

· May be poorly organized and/or written

0-1 Points

· Lacks thesis or restates question

· Demonstrates an incompetent or inappropriate response

· Contains no analysis

· Contains substantial factual errors

· Is poorly written and/or organized.