Final answer:
The most effective assignment would be to create a cause-and-effect flow chart about the Erie Canal, allowing the student to demonstrate the chronological sequence of events and understand the significant impacts on the Midwest and New York, sparking further developments and transformations.
Step-by-step explanation:
To assess a student's ability to analyze the effect of the digging of the Erie Canal on the development of the Midwest and New York, the most effective assignment would be: C. Create a cause-and-effect flow chart about the Erie Canal. This would require the student to understand and demonstrate the chronological sequence of events, impacts, and implications related to the digging of the Erie Canal.
Through the chart, the student could illustrate how the Erie Canal, with its tremendous success, had significant implications for the Midwest and New York. For example, New York City capitalized on the canal's advantages to bolster its already dominant commerce, massively reducing shipping costs and travel times. Meanwhile, the Midwest, connected with the East through this man-made waterway, experienced an increase in trade and settlement.
Furthermore, the Erie Canal sparked a 'Canal mania' across the United States, inspiring similar projects that further transformed the nation's landscape. Hence, creating a cause-and-effect flow chart not only stimulates critical thinking and analysis, but also encourages the student to make connections between historical facts and their impacts on societal development.
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