Final answer:
Grant Wood was inspired to paint 'American Gothic' by the people and landscape of rural America. The painting was a reaction to the Great Depression and the need for a more hopeful art form.
Step-by-step explanation:
Grant Wood was inspired to paint 'American Gothic' by the people and landscape of rural America, particularly the American Heartland. Wood, along with other artists from rural states, were part of the Regionalist movement, which aimed to portray a positive and heroic image of the American Heartland. The painting was a reaction to the extreme circumstances of the Great Depression and the need for a more hopeful and uplifting art form.