How Did the National Road Help Baltimore Grow?

Why were early roads leading to Baltimore important? Who traveled over these roads and where were they going? Where did the National Road go? Look carefully at this picture. Sometime, when you're on a long trip and you think it is taking too long to get to where you are going, maybe you should think about this picture. In the early days of our country, people traveled by horse-drawn coaches and wagons. If the coaches got stuck in the mud, passengers got out and helped to pull them free. There was no heat or air-conditioning. The ride was often very long, bumpy, sometimes dusty and sometimes it was crowded, too. Choose "Ahead" to answer all of the questions above and to learn why many important roads led into Baltimore, and how the National Road in particular helped Maryland and Baltimore grow. If you wish to review a page while you are working on a lesson, click on "Back." If you wish to return to the Maryland with Pride Home Page, click on "Home." Your teacher will give you a copy of the All Roads Led to Baltimore Worksheet that you should use with this lesson.

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