Ideas about land ownership differed between white Americans and Native Americans because white Americans believed that land could be bought, owned, and settled on, while Native Americans believed that land could not be owned and that it was shared by everyone. White settlers took the land from the Native Americans and used it to farm, hunt, raise cattle, and sell. “American Progress” shows how Native Americans were forced west off of their land along with the buffalo when the white settlers came.
The White Americans believed that they could take land from the Native Americans and saw them as less than human. The White settlers took advantage of the Native Americans because of the Native Americans' generosity, and unselfish beliefs. “You ask me to plow the ground. Shall I take a knife and tear my mother's bosom?” The Native Americans believed that the land should not be harmed, and its resources should not be exploited. In conclusion, the white settlers took land and resources that were not theirs, and forced the Native Americans off their land.
The Native Americans were very generous, while the white settlers came to take and move their people forward.