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Manifest destiny and westward expansion
The American westward expansion: is it a case of manifest destiny
Manifest destiny and the mexican american war
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In 1845, the idea of Manifest Destiny was created by John O’Sullivan. Manifest Destiny continued to have a large impact on the development of the U.S. Furthermore, Manifest Destiny helped unite the U.S. through the common goal to expand, however, it further developed the split on slavery. Documents one, four, and six show that Manifest destiny led to a common goal to expand westward, specifically, unifying whig and democratic parties to a common objective. The first document was from a Whig journal and it is clear that he was for expansion,” the natural progress of events will undoubtedly give us that province[California]”(document one).
Manifest Destiny is a unique, yet mysterious fundamental series of events in American history. No other country’s history contains such an eventful history as the United States. Amy Greenberg’s book, Manifest Destiny and American Territorial Expansion, provides documented evidence that settlers believed they were destined for expansion throughout the continent. In other words, many religious settlers believed that it was a call from God for the United States to expand west. On the other hand, people believed that Manifest Destiny vindicated the war against Mexico.
He was a highly devoted man who entered the presidency with an unambiguous plan, setting out five main goals which he successfully executed in only one term in office (Bockert par. 13). Although the incessant pressure of American westward expansion had temporarily accumulated itself behind the Great Plains, it was now about to erupt with a deluge unlike any previous occurrence (Woodworth 59; "Expansion to the Mississippi"). A new start beyond the Western horizon would prove to be crucial to Americans so Polk became determined to use the concept of Manifest Destiny. This concept proved to prompt the American westward movement and lead to a flow of immigrants, and as portrayed in the figure above, to have a massive effect on the population of
Manifest destiny also affected the relationship with Mexico. Several factors led to the Mexican- American War in 1846. The factors were that the U.S citizens were moving into California and Mexico. Since there were many revolutions happening in Mexico throughout this time period the Mexican government was not able to protect the U.S citizens in this region. Another factor was that Mexico was upset that Texas declared independence from them and then the U. S annexed Texas in 1845.
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
The war between the U.S. and Mexico transpired between the years of 1846-1848. There were many Americans migrating into Texas, this did not go unnoticed by President James K. Polk, so he to attempted to annex Texas. Likewise, he sought after territory in New Mexico and California. The U.S. alleged that the Texas southern border was the Rio Grande. Conversely, Mexico did not recognize this borderline and as an alternative thought the Nueces River was the border.
The Mexican-American war altered the United States environmentally, culturally and politically. First, on February 2, 1848, Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo two years post the beginning of the war. The treaty not only achieved President Polk’s goal to achieve California from Mexico but also granted the U.S. over 500,000 square miles of new territory. The new land caused approximately 90,000 spanish speaking, mostly Catholic Mexicans under American jurisdiction. Second, Nativism, a rising anti-catholic and anti-immigrant deemed the Mexicans inferior.
Did you know that Manifest Destiny fueled sectarian tensions over slavery, leading to the Civil War? Manifest Destiny occurred during 1812-1867. The concept of Manifest Destiny held that white Americans were naturally destined to colonize the entire region of North America. President James K. Polk of the United States was a staunch advocate of Manifest Destiny. He felt that expanding America's borders all the way to the Pacific Ocean was God's plan.
Since the Mexican people were not able to vote when Santa Anna gave away Texas, they felt as if the US took advantage of them when Santa Anna was president. Mexico did not see the war as a dual sided conflict. To Mexico, the war was an invasion of the weaker by the stronger, and at a time when Mexico was vulnerable
“Manifest Destiny,” written by John L. O’Sullivan, explains how expansion is needed for america and how it could better our nation. The painting “American Progress,”supports expansion by displaying what it looked like when the settlers moved in. The text, “Reporting to the President, September 23-December 31,1806,” by Stephen Ambrose, supports westward expansion by talking about how lewis and Clarke did good things to help westward expansion. What do you think about westward expansion?
The Role of Manifest Destiny There are many events and roles that were played by different groups of people, that had to do with the tension rising in the slave and non-slave states. Manifest Destiny played a big role because, it started to spread democracy over the World, brought up issues on the topic of Religion, race, patriotism money etc. Which then escalated into bigger problems and eventually caused the Civil War. Manifest Destiny had various actions that caused the tension to rise for the slave and non-slave states, and one action that was a cause to this tension rising was, the start of democracy that Manifest Destiny spread over the world. The people believed that, “God had ordained Americans to spread the
The Mexican-American War changed the Unites States of America in a monumental way. This war changed The U.S.A.’s relationship with foreign powers and the economic standpoint of the nation. The Mexican- American war, and its strong ties to manifest destiny, shaped the nation in a country bordered by two seas with a chance for common folk and foreigners to have a sustainable life due to the gold rush. The war can also be accounted for the downfall leading to the Civil War over the conflict of slavery due to the land purchased in the wars treaty. Conflict between Mexico and the United States began when Texas, previously part of Mexico, became part of the United States.
The Mexican War was a big moment for the United states. Manifest Destiny gave America a feeling of power over land and that hype for expansion, which happened to time with the conflict between Mexico and Texas, this gave path to the war that many people think we do not talk enough about. From the book I learned that it is always interesting to look for different point of views of an event, and also that we
The United States war with Mexico continues to be a divisive topic among many people because of its background. The Mexican-American war was a fight between Mexico and America for land. America’s belief at the time was Manifest Destiny, which meant that they believed that America should extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific ocean. In the end, America benefited from the war and got the land. The United States expanded its size, achieving their dream of Manifest Destiny.
In 1836 Texas declared its independence.(O’Sullivan 323) The war with Mexico happened in Mexico and the US. It started in 1846.(Roden 315) To start the war, Mexicans fired on Americans. People who believed Manifest Destiny believed that it is God’s plan to expand America to the Pacific Ocean.
