The article “Manifest Destiny,” written by John L. O’Sullivan, the book Undaunted Courage, written by Stephen E. Ambrose, and the painting “American Progress,” by John Gast, all exemplify Manifest Destiny and westward expansion. Both of these events changed the United States forever. In all three materials, each one shows the the Americans’ relationship with the land can be seen, and they materials also show the Americans’ desire to control and own something they could not truly possess. In the article, “Manifest Destiny,” it is implied that the United States would expand so far in size that it would be almost heavenly. O’Sullivan states, “Its floor shall be a hemisphere-- its roof the firmament of the star-studded heavens, and its congregation an Union of many Republics, comprising hundreds…show more content… Ambrose states, “Lewis would have had plenty to say about the promise of Louisiana and his plan for an American fur-trade empire” (420). This quote supports the fact that the Americans’ relationship with the land was very dependent because it shows that the United States would expand as a result of the fur-trade empire. This empire would allow for expansion because of the trading process. This chapter also shows how Americans desired to control things they could not control. Ambrose states, “Jefferson kept for himself, to plant at Monticello, seeds of ‘Missouri hominy corn,’ of Pawnee corn, nine nuts from Missouri,’ and two boxes of unidentified seeds” (418). This quote shows that Americans desired to control plantsplants they could notcould not truly possesspossess because Indians had been using these plantsplants can only be used. previously to Thomas Jefferson planting them for himself. Plants cannot be possessed because it grows naturally, and people cannot control nature to a certain
