Mississippi River

Definition

The Mississippi River is a major waterway in North America that flows south from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. It played a crucial role in the development and expansion of American society, particularly during westward expansion.

Analogy

Think of the Mississippi River as a highway. Just like highways connect different cities and allow for transport of goods and people, the river served as a natural "highway" for trade, transportation, and communication.

Related terms

Louisiana Purchase: The acquisition by United States of approximately 828,000 square miles of French territory in 1803 which doubled size of US overnight.

Manifest Destiny: The 19th-century doctrine or belief that expansion of US throughout American continents was both justified & inevitable.

Steamboat: A boat propelled primarily by steam power; revolutionized river travel during Industrial Revolution allowing for faster upstream travel & movement goods/people.