An allegorical painting by John Gast depicting progress moving westward with settlers, technology, and civilization while pushing Native Americans and wildlife aside.
Related terms
Frontier Thesis: Frederick Jackson Turner's theory suggesting that the existence of an untamed frontier shaped American culture, values, and democracy.
Homestead Act: A law passed in 1862 offering free land to anyone willing to settle and improve it as a means of encouraging westward migration.
Transcontinental Railroad: A railway system connecting the East Coast with the West Coast, facilitating faster travel and trade across the continent.