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Manifest Destiny Research Paper

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The phrase “manifest destiny” was in the air, exciting United State citizens. President James Polk declared that it was America’s right to expand to the Pacific Ocean. However, the land west from Texas was Mexican soil. As a result, the United States asked to buy the California territory. When Mexico declined their offer, President James Polk needed an excuse to go to war with Mexico to steal California right from underneath them. Polk spread the rumor that it was their “manifest destiny” to extend America’s territory to the Pacific Ocean. Historians today ask the question: Was the United States justified in going to war with Mexico? The United States was not justified, because the United States were greedy for land, “manifest destiny” is weak excuse, and because of the human cost. The United States had its eye on expand its territory and started with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Then, Mexico gained its independence from Spain in the year of 1821. As a new country, Mexico’s government realized that there was an unacceptably small population in Northern Mexico. Therefore, Mexican officials decided to invite Americans to Texas by offering non-taxed land in the hope of increasing the population. Americans could only move to Texas if they became Mexican citizens, joined the Catholic church, and bring no slaves. (Roden, 317) …show more content…

“Polk was a strong supporter of Manifest Destiny. He believed that it was God’s plan that America extend its territory all the way to the Pacific Ocean.” (Roden, 317) That would be like saying, “It’s my ‘manifest destiny’ to rob a bank and get away with it.” “Manifest destiny would never stand in court. The US used “manifest destiny” as a lame excuse to go to war. “...the fulfillment of our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence (God) for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.” (O 'Sullivan,

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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.

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