Witnesses to a Vanishing America

More about the book

The book explores the complex relationship between pioneer Americans and their westward expansion, highlighting the tension between ideals of rugged individualism and the harsh reality of wilderness destruction. Through diverse media, it illustrates how these pioneers expressed their anxieties about the consequences of their mission. Lee Clark Mitchell uses a wealth of evidence to depict the evolving concerns surrounding America's quest for empire, revealing the contradictions inherent in the pursuit of manifest destiny.