The National Road, also known as the Cumberland Road, played a significant role in westward expansion in the United States. Here are two pieces of evidence that support this claim:
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Improved Transportation and Accessibility: The National Road provided a crucial land link between the eastern states and the western territories. By facilitating the movement of goods and people, the road made it easier for settlers to travel westward. Its construction enabled faster and safer transportation for families and settlers seeking land and new opportunities in the West, contributing to population growth and settlement in those areas.
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Economic Development: As the National Road facilitated trade and commerce, it attracted businesses and encouraged economic development in the regions it connected. Towns and communities along the road flourished due to increased traffic and commerce, further encouraging migration and settlement as people sought economic opportunities in the expanding frontier.
These factors illustrate how the National Road was instrumental in the migration patterns and economic opportunities that characterized westward expansion in the United States.