“manifest destiny”. john gast american progress (c. 1872) who’s in this picture? what are they...
TRANSCRIPT
“Manifest Destiny”
John Gast American Progress (c. 1872)Who’s in this picture? What are they doing?
John Gast American Progress (c. 1872)• This painting is an allegorical representation of Manifest Destiny.
– Here Columbia, intended as a personification of the United States, leads civilization westward with American settlers, stringing telegraph wire as she travels; she holds a school book.
– The different economic activities of the pioneers are highlighted and, especially, the changing forms of transportation. – The Native Americans and wild animals flee.– Allegory-a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete
or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another.
Manifest Destiny is a term for the attitude prevalent during the 19th century period of American expansion that the United States not only could, but was destined to, stretch from coast to coast. This attitude helped fuel western settlement, Native American removal and war with Mexico. The phrase was first employed by John L. O’Sullivan in an article on the annexation of Texas published in the July-August 1845 edition of the United States Magazine and Democratic Review, which he edited.
“The expansion of the United States throughout the continent was both justifiable and inevitable”
Definition
What motivated the United States to expand is borders westward?
What motivated the United States to expand is borders westward?
6. National and border security on the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, as well as on the northern border with Canada and southern border with Mexico
7. Re-emergence of a second party system and more political democratization and the possibility of spreading democracy.
8. Increase in American nationalism and pride for the nation.
9. Possibility of expanding land OPEN or CLOSED to slavery
10. Possibility of admission of new states
6. National and border security on the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, as well as on the northern border with Canada and southern border with Mexico
7. Re-emergence of a second party system and more political democratization and the possibility of spreading democracy.
8. Increase in American nationalism and pride for the nation.
9. Possibility of expanding land OPEN or CLOSED to slavery
10. Possibility of admission of new states
John O’Sullivan’s “Manifest Destiny”John O’Sullivan’s “Manifest Destiny”
Term first coined by newspaper editor, John O’Sullivan in
1845.
Term first coined by newspaper editor, John O’Sullivan in
1845. ".... the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to
possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federaltive development of self-government entrusted to us. It is right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth."
".... the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federaltive development of self-government entrusted to us. It is right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth."
John O’Sullivan was an influential columnist as a young man, but is now generally remembered only for his use of the phrase "Manifest Destiny" to advocate the annexation of Texas and Oregon.
What is “Manifest Destiny?”
• Manifest Destiny was a term used in the 1840s to justify the United States' westward expansion into such areas as Texas, Oregon, and California.
• There was a widely held underlying belief that Americans, the "chosen people," had a divinely inspired mission to spread the fruits of their democracy to the less fortunate (usually meaning Native Americans and other non-Europeans).
• The idea of an almost religious Manifest Destiny was a common staple in the speeches and newspaper articles of the time.
• Most of the exponents of expansion were Democrats, but some Whigs (and later Republicans) were also supporters.
Who supported “Manifest Destiny?”
• Advocates of Manifest Destiny believed that expansion was not only good, but that it was obvious ("manifest") and certain ("destiny").
• Originally a political catch phrase of the 19th century, "Manifest Destiny" eventually became a standard historical term, sometimes used as a synonym for the expansion of the United States across the North American continent which the belief inspired or was used to justify.
Who opposed “Manifest Destiny?”
Critics of Manifest Destiny rejected the idea that it was God's will or even a good thing for the country to expand when it resulted in warfare and the subjugation and mistreatment of native peoples.
Expansionists used the concept to justify their cruel treatment of those peoples, critics asserted.
Critics grew particularly incensed when the concept was used to justify wars of expansion.
God would not destine a nation to kill and subjugate people, they argued.
A small group of Whigs, mostly from the New England states who saw expansion as facilitating the spread of slavery. That would only increase the tension between a precariously balanced North and South, they warned.
Who opposed “Manifest Destiny?”
Manifest Destiny, with its talk of the need to "civilize" the "savages" who occupied the west, was also blatantly racist, they asserted.
Furthermore, critics asserted, overexpansion was a threat to the country; it risked spreading the nation's institutions too thin, they warned.
Other critics argued the belief that the U.S. already had enough land, and should stop seeking more.
If the "war be right then Christianity is wrong, a falsehood, a lie," Congregationalist minister Theodore Parker asserted in opposition to the war with Mexico.
Many in particular portrayed the Mexican-American War as a land grab, aimed at the conquest of a vulnerable neighbor with little ability to defend itself.
Critics argued that Manifest Destiny was used to justify imperialism, and that the U.S. would never have tolerated being treated the way it was treating other countries.
Who opposed “Manifest Destiny?”
A small group of Whigs, mostly from the New England states who saw expansion as facilitating the spread of slavery. That would only increase the tension between a precariously balanced North and South, they warned.
In short, opponents questioned both the ideal of Manifest Destiny and its practical consequences.
Not only was Manifest Destiny morally wrong, critics argued, but its realization through territorial expansion was unconstitutional.
Those critics, called "strict constructionists," maintained that the Constitution never expressly gave the country a right to acquire new lands, so the government did not have the right to acquire territory.
That view had also been expressed by opponents of the Louisiana Purchase.
Manifest Destiny “Fever”Americans believe that their movement westward
& southward was “destined and ordained by God.”Americans believed that this destiny was manifest
or obvious.
Mexican TEXAS
● Texas belonged to Mexico● Mexico needed money to help pay war
debts after gaining independence from Spain
● Mexico invited immigrants in
Texas Background
● First empresarial grant given to Stephen F. Austin (1823)
● Brought 300 people with him● Some of the first Americans to settle in
Mexican Texas● Land was cheap in Texas
“The Old 300”
● Americans refused to be naturalized● Americans refused slave reforms● Immigrants had to pay taxes again● Tariffs on imported goods increased● Further immigration from USA prohibited
Rising Tensions
Texas Revolution
● Taxes● Slavery
Causes:
● Siege of Bejar● The Alamo● Battle of San Jacinto
Important Events:
● Texas is an independent country● “Americans” were able to take what they
wanted● Manifest Destiny● Mexico refuses to recognize Texas
sovereignty
Results and Implications
Mexican - American War
(1846-1848)
● Texas was its own country for 10 years● Mexico never officially recognized Texas
independence ● Texas owned slaves● Texas agrees to be annexed by the United
States in 1845● USA once again adds more land to itself● Polk was very pro Manifest Destiny
Background
● Who “owns” Texas?● The Texans? The Mexicans? The USA?● Border Dispute
Sovereignty
USA wins
Surprise!
● Ends the Mexican-American War● USA pays $15 million to Mexico● Rio Grande as the border for Texas● Gives the USA what would become New
Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Wyoming and Colorado
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
How do the results of the Mexican-American war relate to manifest destiny?How would you feel as an American after this war?