The painting "American Progress" by John Gast is a symbolic representation of the progress of the United States. The colors in the painting represent the progress of the nation from east to west. The white figure of Columbia, a personification of the United States, is shown leading the way westward, with the sun at her back. The people in the painting represent the pioneers and settlers who moved westward, while the objects and activities represent the development of the nation. The telegraph poles, railroad tracks, and steamboat represent the advances in communication and transportation, while the plow and wagon represent the development of agriculture. The painting is a visual representation of the progress of the United States.
