History on the Chesapeake Bay

Over hundreds of years the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries have played an important role on the history of the United States. The Chesapeake has effected the history of the United States while the events of history have had a lasting impact on the bay. Through settlement, war, industry, and agricultural changes the Chesapeake Bay area has been an integral part of American life for years.

African Americans were a group greatly effected by the Chesapeake. During slavery the Chesapeake was used for the underground rail road to help free enslaved blacks. As well as aiding the underground rail road, the Chesapeake served as an economic stepping stone for blacks in society. Many black men became fisherman and entire black families could be employed by the bay.

Economically, the Chesapeake has provided constant stimulation for its surrounding people. The bay has provided an outlet for easy trade, a once conceived to be, endless amount of fish, and a newly flourishing recreational resource. With two of the nations largest harbors, numerous fisheries, as well as countless seafood restaurants and leisure activities.

Although many recent efforts have been made in the last decade to preserve and restore the bay, the careless abuse of the Chesapeakes resources have taken toll to the bays health. Pollutants from thoughtless years of fertilization, sewage disposal, and over fishing have drained the well being of the bay and set it into the now unstable state.

More Bay Facts

Preface
Black American's Role in the Chesapeake Bay
Backround Information on the Chesapeake Bay
Pollution and Population of the Bay Over Time
Biography of Captain Sam Turner
Narrative of Samuel Gross
Photos of the Bay
Bibliography