A. State your Position
In the Subject line of your Post, state whether you (a) strongly disagree, (b) disagree, (c) agree, or (d) strongly agree with the following statement:
Americans would have migrated westward to seek more space or "elbow room" even if painters and writers had not romanticized western landscapes
B. Defend your Position
In the Message of your post, explain your position on the statement above. Also, there are no right or wrong answers; grading will be based on how well you integrate the material from the readings to support your position. Incorporate ideas from the following topics when defending your position:
The 19th century as an era of exploitation of America's natural resources/nature/etc.
The factors for America's westward expansion.
The impact of Transcendentalism on America's view toward nature.
How painters influenced an appreciation for wildness.
America's shift toward an appreciation of nature toward the end of the 19th century.