What is the major canal that linked the Great Lakes to New York City, opening the upper Midwest to wider development?

A) Oswego Canal
B) Gowanus Canal
C) Chenango Canal
D) Erie Canal

Erie Canal

The Erie Canal is a significant historical waterway in New York, opened in 1825, which played a critical role in the commercial expansion of the United States by connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.

Great Lakes

are a group of five large freshwater lakes in North America, forming the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world by total area.

Upper Midwest

The Upper Midwest refers to the northern central part of the United States, including states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, known for its distinct seasons and agricultural productivity.