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Manifest Destiny In The 19th Century

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Before the 19th century, the United States West, was a collection of diverse groups and cultures interactions in unincorporated territory. The West offered land, resources, and a new life just to about anyone who was willing to take the trip out West. This is what drew many people to the idea of West, the desire for a fresh start. A chance, that enticed many people regardless of race hoping to seek better fortune. Western fever would reach an all time high through the concept of Manifest Destiny, that essentially declared that the United States should expand west. American supporters of western expansion, viewed the West as the solution to brewing economic troubles. Jefferson and others thought that Manifest Destiny, was crucial in laying …show more content…

While, imperialistic dynasties in Europe struggled to hold on to their waning empires across the globe due to the rise of ideas like nationalism. America was still able to participate in this same imperial structure, and expand its borders, but also look to other social and political movements for legitimacy . The United States made sure there was a difference between its god given right of expansion versus european imperialism. “The distinction they drew between their own “empire of liberty” and contemporary weren’t always concrete.” This quote further exemplifies that the true identity behind Manifest Destiny as Americanized imperialism. Just like its European counterpart, American imperialism took a huge toll on the inhabitants in the West. Thousands of Native Americans that were violently displaced, as a result of Manifest Destiny and were often forced to relocate elsewhere. Those that stayed were dehumanized and found themselves at the bottom of the power dynamic. Greenberg describes the effects of dehumanization of the Native people by also means of gender“ by feminizing Native Americans, white Americans could prove themselves to be the legitimate possessors of American

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