In the 19th century, Americans were seeking new land and opportunity and began to move west. Manifest Destiny was the belief by the people of the United States that they were meant to spread from sea to shining sea. Journalist John O’Sullivan was the first to use the term “Manifest Destiny”. He wanted the United States to annex Texas and the Oregon territory. Americans believed it was their duty to spread democracy from coast to coast and they had no consideration as to the effect settlement would have on Indians. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson purchased the territory of Louisiana from the French. The Louisiana purchase doubled the size of the United States. Jefferson believed that westward expansion was needed for a stronger and greater…show more content… In this painting a large, bright, feminine, figure is bringing light and civilization as she advances westward. It portrays western expansion by Americans as a glorious and righteous thing. The angelic women is leading settlers from east to west as she suspends a telegraph cable and holds a book on her hand. The right half of the painting represents the east and the left half represents the west. The rightmost part of the painting is bright but as it shifts left it begins to grow darker. From this landscape feature you can tell that Gast is creating the idea that because the east has been civilized it is warm and welcoming while the west is dark, unpleasant, and unknown. In the background to the right there are wagons, stagecoaches, and trains moving west. This shows the idea of advancement and human development being brought further west. To the left wild bison and animals are retreating into the darkness of the west. There are also Native Americans looking back at the god-like figure while fleeing west. “American Progress” is telling us that the United States helped enlighten and settle this dark uncivilized
