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the completion of the erie canal spurred the first great westward movement of american settlers, gave access to the rich land and resources west of the appalachians and made new york the preeminent commercial city in the united states.

the effect of the canal was both immediate and dramatic, and settlers poured west. the explosion of trade prophesied by governor clinton began, spurred by freight rates from buffalo to new york of $10 per ton by canal, compared with $100 per ton by road. in 1829, there were 3,640 bushels of wheat transported down the canal from buffalo. by 1837 this figure had increased to 500,000 bushels; four years later it reached one million. in nine years, canal tolls more than recouped the entire cost of construction.

within 15 years of the canal's opening, new york was the busiest port in america, moving tonnages greater than boston, baltimore and new orleans combined.
—new york canals

use the passage to answer the question.
how did the economic success of the erie canal impact westward expansion?

a. there were more economic opportunities in the west due to the success of the canal system.

b. there was an increased demand for laborers to build similar canals to the west.

c. there was less competition in the west because it was sparsely populated compared to the east.

d. the canal system eliminated many of the jobs in the east, forcing people to the west.