Economic
canals
"An end to poverty and racial injustice".
Venice, Italy
Canals were used for transportation of agricultural products when there were not roads. Rivers, for example, were used for transportation of products downstream. Canals made by the man were used for transportation of products to places were the river could't reach. This system was used as a very efficiently way for products interchange between settlements far away each other.
semicircular canals
They dug canals to connect different waterways
Calhoun
The 1800's
The purpose of the panama canal was to create a shortcut to through central America instead of going around the tip of South America. The Erie Canal, built in the 1800's, that ran from the Great lakes to New York, was built for faster and cheaper trade.
Transportation
canals, then when they became widespread railways (railroads in US)
It is rather vaguely worded but I assume you are referring to Canals.
Canals first and then railways and steam ships.
Canals...
It helped America to develop its economy and transportation.
Mainly the transportation of raw materials and finished goods.