Thinking about Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny The belief that expansion was not only good, but that it was obvious (‘manifest’) and certain (‘destiny’). It was believed that it was the God-given right to move across North America and in so doing, spread democracy and to conquer anything that got in their way. It is used as a synonym for the expansion of the United States across the North American continent

Describe the details of the painting

What is happening?

What is happening? What is the importance of the railroads? In what direction are they moving? What do the railroads tell you about westward expansion? Would this be considered progress? By whom?

What is happening? What does Columbia have in her hands? How are these symbols of Manifest Destiny? Could this also be interpreted as bringing democracy to the West?

What is happening? Examine the lighting in the painting What is the significance of passing from the light into the dark.? Who is in the light and who is in the dark? What was the intention of the painter?

Guess the artist/author’s intent or message

Hear the voices What do you think the people at the left might be saying? What do you think the people on the right might be saying?

What might this farmer be thinking?

And what might she be thinking?

How might their thoughts be the same as or different from those of the other people in the painting?

Interpretations The painting is called “American Progress” Interpret the painting with the term ‘progress’ in mind. What is progress? For whom is this an example of progress? Are all people in the painting experiencing progress? Was westward expansion always progressive? Is progress always progressive?

How do these excerpts relate to the spirit of Manifest Destiny? Manifest Destiny today I’m enormously proud of my country and its role and history in the world.” … I see no contradiction between believing that America has a continued extraordinary role in leading the world towards peace and prosperity and recognizing that that leadership is incumbent, depends on, our ability to create partnerships because we create partnerships because we can’t solve these problems alone.” Barack Obama (2010) “This century must be an American Century … America has the strongest economy and the strongest military in the world. In an American Century, America leads the free world and the free world leads the entire world. God did not create this country to be a nation of followers. America is not destined to be one of several equally balanced global powers. America must lead the world, or someone else will.” Mitt Romney (2011) How do these excerpts relate to the spirit of Manifest Destiny?