1. Paintings on Manifest Destiny
What visual clues describe the ideas
of Manifest Destiny?
2. Learning Log
Directions: Write on your Learning Logs. You will be
looking at 3 paintings. Write down at least three clues
for each painting that the artist is focusing on Manifest
Destiny…
Example:
Painting #1
1. There is a light shining in the west…hints of the
Promised land.
2. The Indians are being chased away
3. The Americans are bringing factories for civilization.
3. Frances Flora Palmer, for Currier and Ives,
Across the Continent: Westward the Course of
Empire Makes Its Way, 1868.
IN JOHN GAST'S "AMERICAN PROGRESS," (1872) A DIAPHANOUSLY AND PRECARIOUS CLAD AMERICA FLOATS WESTWARD THRU THE AIR WITH THE "STAR OF EMPIRE" ON HER FOREHEAD. SHE HAS LEFT THE CITIES OF THE EAST BEHIND, AND THE WIDE MISSISSIPPI, AND STILL HER COURSE IS WESTWARD. IN HER RIGHT HAND SHE CARRIES A SCHOOL BOOK-- TESTIMONIAL OF THE NATIONAL ENLIGHTENMENT, WHILE WITH HER LEFT SHE TRAILS THE SLENDER WIRES OF THE TELEGRAPH THAT WILL BIND THE NATION. FLEEING HER APPROACH ARE INDIANS, BUFFALO, WILD HORSES, BEARS, AND OTHER GAME, DISAPPEARING INTO THE STORM AND WAVES OF THE PACIFIC COAST. THEY FLEE THE WONDEROUS VISION--THE STAR "IS TOO MUCH FOR THEM."--PRECIS OF A CONTEMPORARY DESCRIPTION OF THIS PANTING BY GEORGE CROFUTT WHO DISTRIBUTRED HIS ENGRAVING OF IT WIDELY.
