However, the term gained prominence in the 1840s and was associated with a group of writers, editors, and politicians who embraced a progressive, democratic, and expansionist vision for the United States.
Several figures are credited with popularizing the phrase, including:
* John O'Sullivan, a journalist and editor of the *Democratic Review*, is often cited as the first to use the term in print, in 1845, in an article advocating for the annexation of Texas.
* George Bancroft, a historian and politician, also used the term in his writings and speeches, advocating for a stronger, more unified nation.
* William Cullen Bryant, a poet and editor of the *New York Evening Post*, is another figure associated with "Young America".
While the precise origin of the phrase may be unclear, it's evident that it became a powerful symbol of a new generation of Americans who were eager to shape the future of the country.