Answer:
The painting depicts a woman, who represents American progress, moving westward while bringing light and civilization to the wild frontier. This reflects the idea of American exceptionalism and the belief in manifest destiny, which were central to the concepts of nationalism and imperialism during the 19th century. Additionally, the painting portrays Native Americans and animals fleeing from her path, which can be interpreted as a representation of social Darwinism and the belief in white supremacy. The evidence for this is that the artist was known for his support of Manifest Destiny and the idea that it was the duty of white Americans to expand their territory and culture over non-white populations, which is reflected in the painting's composition and subject matter.
Step-by-step explanation:
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