Why are their poor places in Africa?

Poor leadership, massive embezzlement, and diversion of public funds, civil wars, international interference, years of unrest and poor economic and development policies are the most common causes of the poverty in these African countries. These countries are ranked by GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power.

Explanation:

Because of Poverty lack of provisions

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.

they united the colonies in their fight against the british.