Write an essay about An Era of European Imperialism.

A canal is an artificial waterway used for navigation or irrigation. A canal can link two or more bodies of water or create a passageway over a strip of land. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Americans and Europeans planned the construction of three major canals-the Erie Canal in New York, the Suez Canal in Egypt, and the Panama Canal in Panama. These projects were more than engineering marvels. They represented the cultural and political theories of their time.

For this portfolio assignment, you will complete a variety of activities to learn more about the Erie, Suez, and Panama Canals and to explore their role as historic symbols.

Part 1-the Erie Canal

• Read the History and Geography Activity 12 and respond only to the first four questions.

Part 2-the Suez Canal

• Read the Eyewitness to History excerpt on p. 717 of your textbook and answern the questions.

Part 3-the Panama Canal

• Study and complete the Panama Canal Activity.

Part 4-Summary and Analysis (to be submitted during Lesson 16)

For EACH canal, write a paragraph that contains the following information:

• W ho planned or constructed the canal and when it was finished

• The benefits and disadvantages of the construction of the canal and who experienced them?

• How the construction of the canal supported nation building or imperialism?

• The role technology played in the construction of the canal and empire building.