The Great Lakes were the major transportation route of the French voyageurs, leading to the establishments of forts and fur trading stations that would eventually be developed into cites like Detroit. However, the major contribution to industrialization didn't happen until well after the industrial revolution took place in the United States. Lakers (giant ships that are localized on the Great Lakes) really came into being at the very start of the 20th century. They had 3 primary cargoes: cement, grain, and most importantly, iron ore from Northern Minnesota. Throughout the 20th century, Mesabi Range iron ore was one of the primary components of American steel production, so if you're looking at maintaining industry instead of causing it, the Great Lakes were incredibly important.

However, when it came to westward expansion, the Great Lakes took a back seat to the Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri Rivers. The tradition "start" of the Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, and other routes westward was Missouri, and the routes ran far south of the Great Lakes region. The Ohio River was easy navigable as far east as Pittsburgh. Additionally, land routes through Kentucky and Tennessee were well-established.