What is Manifest Destiny?

widely held belief that American settlers were destined to expand across the continent

It is the United States’ destiny to expand all the way West (to Pacific Ocean)

John L. O’Sullivan: “Our manifest destiny is to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.”

What can artwork tell us about Americans’ attitudes toward Western Expansion?

Evidence: Three Paintings Daniel Boone Escorting Settlers through the Cumberland

Gap by George Caleb Bingham in 1851-52

Westward The Course Of Empire Takes Its Way by Emanuel Loetze in 1861

American Progress by John Gast in 1872

Observations Inferences

Observing What do you see?

Slow down

Focus on details

Don’t worry about significance/relevance

Involve all 5 senses

Inferences Use background knowledge

Use observations

Keep it simple

Connect observations and inferences