The Reason NYC Became America's Biggest City

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NYC is the biggest city in America by a long shot... but why?

In the late 1700s, New York City faced intense competition from the ports of Philadelphia, Boston, and Charleston. Each city had its unique advantages and was a formidable contender for becoming the primary economic powerhouse of the fledgling United States.

Philadelphia, with its central location and well-established commercial infrastructure, was a bustling hub for trade and manufacturing. Boston, rich in maritime tradition and a key player in international trade, leveraged its strategic coastal position and strong connections with Europe. Meanwhile, Charleston thrived on its robust plantation economy and strategic port, making it a crucial point for the export of goods, especially rice and indigo, to Europe and the Caribbean.

Despite these advantages, none of these cities experienced the transformative boost that New York City did with the construction of the Erie Canal. Completed in 1825, the canal linked the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes via the Hudson River, dramatically increasing the flow of goods and people into New York.

After the canal was completed, NYC's share of national exports skyrocketed from 10% to 60% within about 15 years.

This video is adapted from a section in the book "At Home" by Bill Bryson.

Concrete clip by: @recall5811