Drawing on material from the entire book, not just a particular chapter, address one of the following:
(1) Sheriff argues that the Erie Canal turned out to “evoke feelings of ambivalence” (55) among the canal’s promoters. -Progress- muted out to have up sides and down sides. What aspects of the canal project evoked feelings of ambivalence? What canal developments inspired excitement and pride? Fear and opposition? Why? OR
(2) We argue about the government’s proper role in the economy today, whether the subject is international trade agreements or tax incentives for new businesses in Buffalo. What was controversial about the government’s role in the Erie Canal, and how did the different sides line up? What broader views of the role of government in the economy did these views represent?
