填空题 In the 18th century New York was smaller than Philadelphia and Boston. 1 How can the change in its size and importance be explained?
The map of the Northeast shows that four of the most heavily-populated areas in this region are around seaports. At these points materials from across the sea enter the United States, and the products of the land are sent there for export across the sea.
In about 1815, when many Americans from the east coast had already moved toward the west, trade routes from the ports to the central regions of the country began to be a serious problem. The slow wagons of that time, drawn by horses or oxen, were too expensive for moving heavy freight very far. 2 In New York State a canal seemed the best solution to the transportation problem. From the eastern end of Lake Erie all the way across the state to the Hudson River there is a Long trip of low land. 3 After several years of work it was completed in 1825.
The canal produced an immediate effect. 4 New York City, which had been smaller than Philadelphia and Boston, quickly became the leading city of the coast.
The coming of the railroads made canal shipping less important, but it tied New York even more closely to the central regions of the country. It was easier for people in the central states to ship their goods to New York for export overseas.
Thus New York became the greatest port for receiving people from European countries. 5 Others stayed in New York for a few weeks, months, or years, and then moved to other parts of the United States. For these great numbers of new Americans, New York had to provide homes, goods, and services. Their labor helped the city become great.
A. Freight costs were cut to about one-tenth of what they had been.
B. Americans had long admired Europe"s canals.
C. That"s why seaports often have cities nearby.
D. Here the Erie Canal was constructed.
E. Today it is the largest city in America.
F. Many of these people remained in the city.
G. Passengers could come from Europe very cheaply as a result.