“The Oregon Trail” by Albert Bierstadt, 1867
“Westward the Course of Empire Takes its Way,” Emmanuel Leutze 1861
“American Progress” by John Gast, 1872
The Progress of America; 1875 Oil on canvas, Kahn Collection
“The Promised Land—The Grayson Family” by William S. Jewett, 1850
Across the Continent: “Westward the Course of Empire Takes its Way” Fanny Palmer, 1867
Manifest Destiny Popular American belief first used in 1840s. U.S. had divine right and responsibility to expand west, claim land Used to justify the acquisition of Oregon, war with Mexico and large parts of Southwest, including California.