What were the economic and social effects of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal? Objective 1. To describe the importance of George Washington's role in the building of a Potomac River canal; 2. To explain the role canals played in the early industrial economy of the nation; 3. To outline the effect the C & O Canal had on the Potomac River Valley; 4. To research forms of transportation used in the students' own communities in the early days of development. Background Time Period: Early to Mid 19th Century Topics: This lesson could be used in units on the early industrial period of American history a Duration: 90 Minutes.