1. Middle Atlantic Colonies Chapter 6 “Moving West” Lesson 3 p. 224

2. Backcountry Up until this point in the early 1700’s, most cities, towns, and farms were located near the coast. This area was called the Coastal Plain region. Hardly anyone had ever gone farther west toward the Appalachian Mountains. Settlers called this land between the Coastal Plain and the Appalachian Mountains the “backcountry” because it was “in back of” of the area settled by colonists. Up until this point in the early 1700’s, most cities, towns, and farms were located near the coast. This area was called the Coastal Plain region. Hardly anyone had ever gone farther west toward the Appalachian Mountains. Settlers called this land between the Coastal Plain and the Appalachian Mountains the “backcountry” because it was “in back of” of the area settled by colonists.

3. Backcountry

4. The waterfalls in the rivers and the lack of roads made travel to the backcountry very difficult. To get around the waterfalls, settlers had to carry all their boats and supplies over the land. This kind of travel was so difficult that many settlers didn’t want to move inland.

5. The Great Wagon Road Despite the harsh traveling conditions, by the mid- 1700’s, settlers began to move to the backcountry. To get there, settlers found an old Indian trail. As more and more settlers used the trail, it became wider and wider. Finally, wagons could travel on it, and it became known as the Great Wagon Road. Despite the harsh traveling conditions, by the mid- 1700’s, settlers began to move to the backcountry. To get there, settlers found an old Indian trail. As more and more settlers used the trail, it became wider and wider. Finally, wagons could travel on it, and it became known as the Great Wagon Road.

6. Even though settlers could now travel with their wagons, the Great Wagon Road was still very hilly and difficult for horses to keep their footing. But since it was the only way to bring wagons loaded with household goods, settlers fought the long battle to get to the backcountry. Even though settlers could now travel with their wagons, the Great Wagon Road was still very hilly and difficult for horses to keep their footing. But since it was the only way to bring wagons loaded with household goods, settlers fought the long battle to get to the backcountry.

7. Life in the Backcountry Read about what life was like in the backcountry in your book, p. 226-227. Read about what life was like in the backcountry in your book, p. 226-227.

8. Add these vocab words to your notes: Backcountry- the unsettled land between the settled Coastal Plain area and the Appalachian Mountains. Backcountry- the unsettled land between the settled Coastal Plain area and the Appalachian Mountains. Loft- a part of the house between the ceiling and the roof where children slept. Loft- a part of the house between the ceiling and the roof where children slept.