Why were new orleans and the mississsppi river important to settlers in the west

Because New Orleans was a very important trading port.  New Orleans is very important for importing and exporting goods.  Mississippi River was a major transportation for settlers and good to ship items east.  

abraham lincoln  (february 12, 1809  – april 15, 1865) was an american statesman, politician, and lawyer who served as the 16th  president of the united states  from 1861 until  his assassination  in april 1865. lincoln led the nation through the  american civil war, its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis.[2][3]  he preserved the  union,  abolished slavery, strengthened the  federal government, and modernized  the u.s. economy.

after defeating german forces in north africa allied leaders turned their attention to "italy," since this was the location that made the most geographic sense before invading northern europe via france.