which physical feature made it difficult for the american colonists settled along the atlantic coast to expand westward?
Which physical feature made it difficult for the American colonists settled along the Atlantic coast to expand westward?
Answer:
The Appalachian Mountains were the physical feature that made it difficult for the American colonists settled along the Atlantic coast to expand westward. The Appalachian Mountains run from Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada to central Alabama in the United States. This mountain range presented a significant barrier to westward expansion for the early American settlers.
The rugged terrain and dense forests of the Appalachian Mountains made it challenging for the colonists to cross and settle beyond them. The lack of easily navigable passes through the mountains hindered the movement of people and goods, restricting westward expansion.
Moreover, the Appalachian Mountains served as a natural boundary that separated the established colonies along the Atlantic coast from the uncharted territories to the west. This geographical barrier slowed down the westward expansion of the American colonists, as they had to find ways to navigate or circumvent the mountain range.
Despite these challenges, some intrepid settlers managed to cross the Appalachians and explore the lands beyond, eventually paving the way for further westward expansion into the interior of the North American continent.