The National Road was the first federally funded highway in the United States, built between 1811 and 1838. It stretched from Cumberland, Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois and played a significant role in westward expansion.
Related terms
Cumberland Gap: A narrow pass through the Appalachian Mountains that served as a natural gateway for settlers traveling westward.
Erie Canal: A man-made waterway connecting Albany, New York to Buffalo, New York. It provided another transportation route for goods and people heading west.
Manifest Destiny: The belief held by many Americans in the 19th century that it was their destiny or duty to expand across the North American continent.