Roads

Definition

Roads are paved or otherwise improved routes for traveling by foot or vehicle, often connecting two or more places. In the context of US history, roads played a crucial role in westward expansion and economic development.

Related terms

National Road: This was the first major improved highway in the United States built by the federal government between 1811 and 1837.

Erie Canal: A man-made waterway in New York that connected the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean; it revolutionized transportation and commerce during its time.

Transcontinental Railroad: A railway extending from coast to coast, which significantly reduced travel time across the country and facilitated westward expansion.