How Did Manifest Destiny Affect Society

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Manifest Destiny America accomplished countless goals during the Manifest Destiny that composed the country of what it is today. Americans of the mid 19th century believed it had a Manifest Destiny (clear of obvious fate) it needed to complete. The idea was first proposed by John O'Sullivan, a journalist. He influenced American citizens to believe god blessed the expansion of the nation. The country believed the land of opportunity was destined to expand and grow to it's full potential, spread from coast to coast. Manifest Destiny influenced America economically, socially, and geographically, both positively and negatively. To begin, America was substantially modified economically because of Manifest Destiny. As Americans moved, they harnessed resources of the west. For example, the industrial revolution increased the demand for cotton. This demand caused Americans to settle and farm new grounds. The article states, “The invention of the cotton gin allowed cotton production to dominate the economy and made it's exportation a vital force for the entire American economy. And by 1849 when most farmers owned and used the cotton gin, cotton accounted for 75% of the world’s supply and two-thirds of all …show more content…

During the time of the Industrial Revolution, which was throughout the Manifest Destiny, the cotton gin increased demand for cotton, which led to an increase in children working in the employment industry. The video says, “In the eighteen thirties, a ten year old mill girl described her life. [She said] we were paid two dollars a week and the working hours of all the girls extended from five o’clock in the morning till seven in the evening, with one half hour for breakfast and for dinner”(Turning Points in History- Industrial Revolution). This demonstrates that the working conditions were long and tiresome. The girls were paid the bare minimum for their prolonged, strenuous