Question

1. Which groups in the painting are moving from the east toward the west? What are they bringing with them?

Answer 1

1. The people in wagons/horseback with regular clothing are the groups moving west. With them, they bring death/destruction.

2. They may be moving west for better job opportunities, freedom, or to explore.

3. The Native Americans and animals like bears/buffalo were already in the West. They are forced to flee, fight for their land, or even die.

4. The figure in the center of the painting is Lady Liberty. She may represent America as a whole + the way they brought their ideals, hopes, and technology to the West along with them.

5. John Gast likely did not believe that US expansion in the 1800s was justifiable b/c in this painting of his, he portrays some of the negative effects that American expansion had on several groups in the West. There is a pile of animal bones symbolizing death, and other animals, as well as Native Indians, can be seen running away from the people moving west, showing how American expansion caused many to leave their homes.