Final answer:
Geography played a significant role in early settlement in Ohio state affecting the movement of settlers and the development of communities. The Ohio River Valley was a dividing line between slave states and free states.
Step-by-step explanation:
Geography played a significant role in early settlement in Ohio state. The state’s location and terrain affected the movement of settlers and the development of communities. For example, settlers from New England traveled west through New York and into the Great Lakes region, while settlers from the Mid-Atlantic region traveled down the Great Valley or crossed Pennsylvania via the Ohio River valley. Additionally, the Ohio River Valley became a dividing line between slave states and free states, leading to unique laws and cultures in different regions.