Final answer:
New Orleans was crucial for settlers west of the Appalachians due to its location for shipping via the Mississippi River, its role in the cotton trade, and the large slave market, making it a significant commercial and cultural center.
Step-by-step explanation:
The city of New Orleans was vital to the settlers west of the Appalachian Mountains due to its strategic position at the mouth of the Mississippi River, its role in the booming cotton industry, and its prominence in the slave trade. New Orleans served as the primary hub for steamboat traffic, which was essential in transporting cotton from plantations to the port for international trade. Its location facilitated the movement of goods to and from the interior regions of the country, making it a critical point for commerce. In addition, the city's large slave market had a significant impact on the economy, helping to sustain the plantation system in the South.
With 12 percent of the nation's banking capital by 1840, New Orleans was not only a cultural melting pot, but also a financial center rivaling New York. Its growth was further cemented by the wealth generated from cotton exports, particularly to British manufacturers. The importance of New Orleans in the early 19th century cannot be overstated, as its thriving economy and diversity made it an essential city for settlers and the nation as a whole.