So is history the history of progress?
In the case of America, yes. We went from 13 oppressed colonies relying on 1/3 slave population and unfair government to a nation from the Atlantic to the Pacific. We became free, all people equal, and created a government run by the people, for the people. So yes there may have been some rough steps and mistakes made in between now and then but over all we have greatly progressed. At least, that's my opinion. It's all for you to decide. History is all about how you see it.