Which phrase best captures the theme of the narrative surrounding westward expansion?

The theme of the narrative surrounding westward expansion is best captured by the phrase "Exploitation leading to American growth." This encapsulates the complex reality of the period, where the expansion of the United States into the western territories often involved the systematic exploitation of land and resources, as well as the displacement and oppression of Indigenous peoples.

The pursuit of land for agriculture, mining, and settlement spurred economic growth and contributed to the development of the American economy in the 19th century. This process, however, was marked by significant conflict and disregard for the rights and cultures of Native Americans, whose lands were forcibly taken.

While the idea of Manifest Destiny highlights a sense of mission and purpose that settlers felt about westward expansion, it does not adequately reflect the detrimental impact on those who were already living in these territories. Collaboration between Native Americans and settlers did occur in certain contexts, but it was not the prevailing narrative of westward expansion, which was often characterized by conflict. The challenges faced by European immigrants, while a part of this broader story, do not specifically address the direct impacts of westward expansion and the exploitation that accompanied it.