How was the idea of westward expansion depicted as a sign of American progress in the 1800s?

In the 1800s, westward expansion was often depicted as a sign of American progress through the belief in Manifest Destiny, the notion that it was the nation's divine right and duty to expand across the continent. This ideology framed expansion as a means of spreading democracy, civilization, and economic opportunity, emphasizing the idea that the United States was destined to bring progress to the frontier. Artistic representations, literature, and political rhetoric celebrated pioneers and settlers as heroes advancing civilization, while often downplaying the negative impacts on Indigenous populations and the environment. Thus, westward expansion became synonymous with national growth and the fulfillment of America’s potential.