Niagara Falls c. 1880

Charles Bierstadt captured this photograph of Niagara Falls, during a time when the American landscape was being both celebrated and exploited. Bierstadt presents us with more than just a majestic scene; he offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between nature and national identity. During the 19th century, places like Niagara Falls were potent symbols of American exceptionalism and expansionist ambitions. The concept of Manifest Destiny framed the American identity as bound to the land. Yet this narrative often ignored the displacement and marginalization of indigenous communities whose ancestral lands were being claimed as part of this expansion. How might the sublime spectacle of Niagara Falls contrast with the realities of industrialization and territorial disputes? Consider the human impact on these spaces, and who gets to define and experience the "American" landscape. The emotional and experiential dimensions of nature are deeply entwined with these power dynamics, shaping our collective memory and national narrative.