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Manifest Destiny Dbq Essay

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Gunshots thundered across the Rio Grande, closely followed by the distressed cries and pain filled shouts of men as bullets and bayonets ripped through white and bronze flesh alike; the war had officially begun, but who was responsible? In the years of 1846- 1848, America and Mexico had buried themselves into a quickly growing conflict concerning what would be determined as the Mexican-American border after Texas was annexed. Texas had finally, after several failed attempts, convinced the U.S. to annex the them into the union, however Mexico immediately decided to claim a large chunk of rightful Texan land as “Mexican land” while America and Texas claimed that the Rio Grande was the rightful border of Mexico and America; not the Nueces …show more content…

The belief that their young Nation had a god given destiny was enough for many Americans to believe that the border dispute was an act against God’s plan for America, and that the land between the Nueces and the Rio Grande was utterly necessary for the U.S. to own. “Other nations have undertaken… hostile interference against us, … hampering our power, limiting our greatness and checking the fulfillment of our Manifest Destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence [God] for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.” (Document A). The majority of the American population believed that it was their divinely appointed future, to spread across the continent and grow into a massive, yet caring, world power, was being threatened by Mexico’s unwillingness to give up the land between the Nueces and the Rio …show more content…

armed forces in what America considered their land; ending sixteen American lives in the process. “The cup of forbearance had been exhausted even before the recent information from the frontier of Del Norte. But now, ... Mexico has passed the boundary if the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood on American soil.” (Document B). This intolerable act was the breaking point for America, it escalated a simple border dispute and bruised honor, into a nationwide offence that could not be ignored. Mexico’s attack against America was unnecessary, and an outright declaration of

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Whatever its true purpose, Manifest Destiny has indeed stretched the U.S territory and seized half of Mexico’s land. On the contrary, Manifest Destiny resulted in a conflict with

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Based on the following three sources, did the concept of Manifest Destiny motivate Americans to try to develop a relationship with land and to control something that cannot truly be possessed? American Progress –John Gast “on Manifest Destiny, 1839” –John O’Sullivan “Reporting to the President, September 23- December 31, 1806” (pages 418-21) –Stephen Ambrose Use evidence from all three sources to support your ideas. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Manifest Destiny is the belief that the expansion of the US throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable. This meaning that Americans believed they were destined to hold dominion over both of the American continents

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Moreover, in Reading 3, it said it was Mexico invaded the United States’ territory; consequently, the U.S. had to protect their rights and their lands to fight the war.

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soldiers in the disputed zone under the command of General Zachary Taylor, killing about a dozen. Taylor called in reinforcements, and with the help of superior rifles–were able to defeat the Mexicans at the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. Following those battles, Polk told the U.S. Congress that the “cup of patience has been exhausted, even before Mexico passed the boundary of the United States, invading our territory, and shed American blood upon American soil.” Two days later, on May 13, Congress declared war, despite opposition from some lawmakers. No official statement of war ever came from Mexico.

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