1. Examine the painting.
2. Read the passage.
3. Answer the question in a comment on the blog.
(BE SURE TO POST A COMMENT WITH YOUR ANSWERS ON THE BLOG)
The rapid settlement of the United States’ inland empire was soon recorded in census reports. Between 1800 and 1840, the population of Ohio grew from fewer than 50,000 people to about 1.5 million. In Illinois, census totals jumped from about 12,000 in 1810 to nearly 500,000 in 1840. Alabama census takers saw the state’s population of slaves alone rise from about 47,500 in 1820 to more than 253,500 in 1840—a more than fivefold increase. This movement of people westward led to the creation of many new states. The admission of Michigan to the Union in 1837 brought the number of states to 26, or twice the original total of 13.
As the number of stars dotting the American flag rapidly increased, many people came to believe that the United States was destined to continue growing and expanding. It seemed to them that God had chosen their country to spread the blessings of freedom and Ameri- can civilization across the Mississippi and beyond. In 1845, newspaper editor John L. Sullivan wrote of “our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the development of our yearly multi- plying millions.”
To carry out this mission, Americans would have to confront two nations that claimed large parts of North America: Mexico and Great Britain. They would also have to reach some accommodation with the original inhabitants of the land, the American Indians. Only when the nation overcame those obstacles could the American flag wave freely “from sea to shining sea.”
(Taken from Pursuing American Ideals: Digging Deeper 3)
• List all the people you see in this image and describe them. What are the people doing? Where are they going?
• Who is the woman in the flowing white dress?
• What did the artist want us to think about the United States’ move westward?
• Would American Indians agree with this image? What type of picture might they paint?
