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Introduction to manifest destiny essay
Manifest destiny and its consequences
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Manifest Destiny resulted in the westward expansion of the United States in evident ways such as the movement to California, Oregon, and Texas. Manifest Destiny is explained as the God given right for Americans to move westward and expand the United States as far as possible. With this expansion, many people suffered, many thrived, and many states were added to the United States. Such states include California, originally founded for the massive amounts of gold located there along with the other amiable resources located in the area. After the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, many Californians, originally part of Mexico, now lived in the United States and had to survive with a completely new culture and language. With this, many Americans felt the need to …show more content…
The state of Oregon was first settled by fur traders. The families in the area soon became called the mountain men and lived prosperously in Oregon trading beaver fur. Unfortunately, almost all of the beaver were killed; in turn, the mountain men either worked on farms or served as “guidance counselors” serving the purpose of advising new settlers on where to go. Consequently, almost all of the settlers began to move on the same trail which is presently known as the Oregon Trail. The trail was used by a very many number of north eastern people since the Panic of 1837 caused many citizens to lose money. It served the purpose to help many Americans practically start their life over. Although many died on this trail, the settlers that did survive continued to lead happy lives attracting more and more people to this new territory. The state or Oregon was long sought after because of the accessibility it possessed to the Pacific Ocean. The United States was officially able to trade much easier with eastern continents such as India and China. However, Manifest Destiny did not only include Oregon and many Americans decided to go into the new country of
The time of westward expansion was filled of hardships and challenges for the citizens of America. They left their homes at their own will to help make life better for themselves, and would letter recognize how they helped our country expand. The people of the Oregon trail risked their lives to help better their lives and expand and improve the country of America. However, no reward comes without work, and the emigrants of the Oregon Trail definitely had it cut out for them. They faced challenges tougher than anyone elses during the time of westward expansion.The Emigrants of the Oregon trail had the the most difficult time surviving and thriving in the west because of environmental difficulties, illness abundance, and accident occurrence.
Manifest Destiny was the idea that the United States not only could, but was destined to stretch from coast to coast. The United States obtained many territories and pieces of land during the 19th century that led to the achievement of Manifest Destiny. After this accomplishment, the nation looked to expand beyond their current borders, so they settled on a collection of islands situated in a desirable location in the middle of the Pacific. These islands, known as Hawaii, would provide our country with an excellent advantage to aid our military, and they would also serve to strengthen our economy.
The Manifest Destiny was a progressive movement starting in the 1840's. John O'Sullivan, a democratic leader, named the movement in 1845. Manifest Destiny meant that westward expansion was America's destiny. The land that was added to the U.S. after 1840 (the start of Manifest Destiny) includes The Texas Annexation (1845), The Oregon Country (1846), The Mexican Cession (1848), The Gadsden Purchase (1853), Alaska (1867), and Hawaii (1898). Although this movement would take several years to complete, things started changing before we knew it.
Between 1840 and 1950, over fifty-three thousand people travelled the Oregon Trail. Native American exposure to diseases such as smallpox and diphtheria decimated the tribes, and that along with the encroachment of settlers on tribal lands, was the cause of much strife between Native Americans and the incoming Europeans. The Land Donation Law, a government land giveaway allotting three-hindred twenty acres to white males and six-hundred forty to married white couples, gave impetus to the western expansion and the American idea of "Manifest destiny." This promotion of migration and families also allowed America to strentghen its hold on Oregon, in the interests of displacing British claims.
Manifest Destiny is known as the idea that the United States will control the continent from the east coast all the way to the west coast. However, this idea took time to happen, which is shown through the first sixty years of the idea when territorial expansion was the primary goal. This may not have been able to happen if it weren't for several key factors. Factors such as Thomas Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, along with the Louisiana Purchase were able to personify Manifest Destiny due to its push westward on the boundaries of the United States.
The rise of the spirit of “Manifest Destiny” started when the American people started to believe that it was God’s plan for Americans to expand westward and grow the country. It showed itself when the United States gained Texas, the Oregon Territory, California and the Gadsden Purchase.
The term Manifest Destiny refers to the idea that Americans not only had the right to expand across the continent to the Pacific coast, but that they had a responsibility to do so, since it was considered to be “God’s will.” This passionate desire to expand had an enormous impact on the relations between the government of the United States and the native people of North America, as well as its relations with Mexico and the other countries of the Americas. “The American claim is by right of our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and our democratic government entrusted to us.” (Document 3) At the time, the American people
The phrase Manifest Destiny was later used by expansionists to justify the accomplishment of California and the Oregon Territory. By the end of the 19th century that phrase was being applied to the annexation of several islands in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific
The conquest of the west came to be for three reasons; 1. Individuals wanted to be free from religious persecution, 2. Moving west would allow individuals to pursue greater social freedoms, and 3. The land was rich and one could work hard and have riches beyond any that could be made in the east (Schultz,n.d.). The move west was broken down into phases. Phase one people moved without any government involvement or consent and was done for mostly personal reasons. The next phase was after the presidential election in which James K. Polk was elected. Polk was a heavy activist for American expansion which was deemed "manifest destiny." Manifest Destiny made further discrimination of Native Americans, helped to continue the expansion of the Market Revolution, on the great frontier a poor man could become rich on his own accord, and the question of slavery was raised if it should happen in the west or not and ultimately ignited the Civil War. The move west included the states of Texas, Oregon, Utah, and California. The development was essentially started by the movement and exploration of Mountain men. Texas was the largest destination for early movement before 1840. Between 1829 and 1834 Santa Anna gained power in Mexico and tried to enforce regulations of slavery on Americans in Texas. This sparked the battle at The Alamo. Everyone was killed in the battle for Alamo, but
Throughout the 19th century the United States expanded westwards, slowly expanding across North America until eventually stretching from the Atlantic till the Pacific Ocean. The belief that the United States and its settlers were destined to spread across North America became known as Manifest Density, and it became a focal point of US politics in the pre-civil war era. However, despite Manifest Destiny leading to territorial gain for the U.S., it also led to deaths of millions of Native Americans and continued the problems leading to the civil war.
The manifest destiny was an idea written in a newspaper in 1845 and was a belief in the united states that settlers were destined to move westward and take all the land ( it was held by many people ). This belief started to take action in the 1890’s when America went to war with spain, annexed hawaii, and laid plains for an isthmian canal across Central America. The Manifest Destiny was an important time in In American history because it supported the idea of moving westward. The most important person involved in this is John O'Sullivan, his idea was first shared in a newspaper article that he wrote in 1845. When it was written many people liked the idea but didn't take any action towards it. Then, in the 1890’s when America was went to war with spain, annexed Hawaii, and laid plains for an isthmian canal in Central America it became a renewed U.S. foreign policy. James Knox Polk was the 11th president of the United States and led the Mexican-American war which
In 1840, many Americans believed that God was commanding them to expand, that expansion lead to a population growth which necessitated territorial expansion, and that national expansion equaled the expansion of freedom. This belief became known as Manifest Destiny. “The Manifest Destiny was the belief that the United States was destined or endowed by God with the mission of expanding across the continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific” (Dudley, 2016). Manifest Destiny focused on the virtue of America’s people and government.
“We are entering on its untrodden space, with the truths of God in our minds, beneficent objects in our hearts, and with a clear conscience unsullied by the past.” (O’Sullivan n. pag.) This quote from “John L. O’Sullivan on Manifest Destiny, 1839” demonstrates the beliefs the Americans of the time felt about moving. Westward expansion is an immense part of the history of the United States because it allowed the American culture to broaden. Many people in the nineteenth century believed that America would be a great and powerful nation in the years to come. However, these pioneers were often very arrogant and would forget flaws of their past and their government. Although Manifest Destiny was the American belief in the God-given right to move
Manifest Destiny was an idea of the United States government that North America was theirs’ to conquest and settle such to an extent that it was a “divine right.”. This belief pushed the Native Americans more westward and even southward. The majority of westward expansion happened as a result of Manifest Destiny or the belief that the colonies were superior and needed to spread their superiority as far as possible. Critics of Manifest Destiny rejected the idea that it was God’s will. Rather they thought it was an excuse for the expansion that resulted in cruel treatment and racism. Some saw it as an excuse to facilitate the spread of slavery. Others saw it as unjustified imperialism, and an excuse for war . It had a negative effect on the Mexicans and Native Americans. Americans wanted to expand westward and viewed the Native Americans as being in
Many Americans began to think they wanted to claim all that land. Many believed it was God’s plan to settle the lands that reached to the Pacific Ocean. The motivation of Manifest Destiny started the westward movement. At one time, the U.S. owned land to the Rocky Mountains. The president who encouraged the westward expansion was President James K. Polk. His goal was to expand the U.S. from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Manifest destiny was what Polk believed in. Manifest destiny means “clear to see” or “obvious” (Sheinkin 34) One of the supporters of this idea was journalist, John O’Sullivan. He wrote, “The American claim is by the right of our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty” ( 34)