Discussion Topic
In 1845, journalist John L. O'Sullivan captured the spirit of the times when he coined the term Manifest Destiny. This term reflected the growing belief among Americans that they were destined to enlarge the nation across the entire continent.
The desire for new land to farm and ranch, new markets for American goods, and the discovery of precious metals motivated this drive to settle the West. But U.S. expansionism also displaced thousands of Indians and Mexicans already living in those territories.
In your first posting, answer these questions:
- Why did Americans migrate to the West? Why did settlers move into Texas, California, or Oregon?
- How did U.S. expansionism affect the established inhabitants of these territories?
- Do you think the U.S. acquired these territories justly?
- Was Manifest Destiny a rationalization for the greedy and aggressive acquisition of Western land? Or did it serve the best interests of the country and its citizens?
As you read other students' responses, respond to one or more of these questions in your follow-up posting(s):
- Compare the U.S.'s international policy in the era of Manifest Destiny to the country's involvement in the international arena today. Do you see similarities or differences?
- Does the U.S. still practice imperialism by trying to extend its economic and political influence over other countries?
Required Reading
Before you enter the discussion, be sure to read the related pages in your textbook. If you're using Tindall and Shi, see:
| 8th Edition | 7th Edition | 6th Edition | 5th Edition |
| Chapter 14, pages 603-645 | Chapter 14, pages 489-523 | Chapter 14, pages 530-567 | Chapter 14, pages 581-621 |
Scoring
This discussion is worth a maximum of 15 points. You'll get 10 points for your first post. Your instructor will give you another 5 points if you post a follow-up comment or question that furthers the discussion.
Original:
ReplyDeleteAmericans migrated west because of Manifest Destiny, Which is believed that Americans had the right to move westward from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Settlers moved into Texas because, California,and Oregon because of its resources such as fertile land. The expansionism did affect inhabitants such as the Native Americans; they were to sign treaties and relocate to new unfertile lands. The U.S. did not acquire the lands justly, the lands were acquired through battles and forcing inhabitants to relocate. I believe that Manifest Destiny was rationalization for the greedy because the large amounts would promote agriculture and new business the American economy needed to gain more wealth and business.
Original:
ReplyDeleteAmericans moved to the west because logically, the east was probably becoming crowded with the hordes of immigrants arriving and competition for jobs was probably not desirable or appealing to many settlers. So, instead of trying to etch out a living for themselves, they decided to cut their losses and move west in search of more land where they could have larger farms and in search of minerals such as gold that could prove to be their financial savior. Settlers probably moved to the Texas, California, and Oregon because of the resources and availability of land in those areas. The proximity of the areas near water was probably a considering factor and the gold mines in California anf Oregon probably helped more than a few families financially.
To Naomi:
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, manifest destiny sounds like a load of crock to me because the fact that Americans were destined to move west seems an irrational basis for the uprooting of a family in a stable town and moving to an isolated area where the family would not know anyone and would remain isolated until other settlers found their way there. I think that the term manifest destiny was a term coined for the explanation of the Americans moving westward but was a delicate way of glossing over the fact that Indians and Mexicans suffered the loss of their lands and resources to these new settlers.
To Jasbir:
ReplyDeleteI agree totally with your whole explanation, "Manifest Destiny" was a nice coined term to show only the positive effects, even though Mexicans and Indians suffered greatly. Your analysis of why the Americans moved to the west is well put, due to tenants and overcrowding it became almost unbearable to live and new cities were needed for the rapid growth, the best solution for them were LETS MOVE WESTWARD!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOriginal:
ReplyDeleteAmericans believed in the concept of Manifest Destiny which is the belief that America was destined to own all of the land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The concept of manifest destiny was used to convince Americans to move west during the mid-eighteen hundreds. Settlers moved to Oregon, Texas, and California because there was an abundance of natural resources and the fact that these states were the closest to water. The acquirements of these states were unjust because Americans resorted to violence and trickery in order to gain these territories. I believe Manifest Destiny was a rationalization for the greedy and aggressive acquisition of Western land because the main reason settlers moved west was because they wanted to. There was no plan that God had set for them. The land was not owed to them. They had no claim to land that was not theirs and the fact that they used violence to attain the territory proves that the obtainment of the land was out of greed. The least Americans could have done was, pay for the land in which they TOOK.
America at first offered to pay, but native americans refused in effort to protect their secret grounds
DeleteTo Naomi and Jasbir
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that the term Manifest Destiny is absolutely ridiculous. The only word that describes the term Manifest Destiny is propaganda. It was used to lure Americans to move and settle in the West and was used as an excuse to justify the greed of the wealthy. One can argue, what would happen if we did not acquire the territory, however, I feel that the fact that we had to obtain the land through violence and had to rightful claim to the land does not make the acquirement of the land just even from today's prospective.
In the 1800s with the new increases in immigration and the ever growin pouplation in the East, Americans decided to start moving West. Some in search for gold in California, other just to start new lives and build for the generations to come. This movement West was backed up by the belief in Manifest Destiny. This belief held that AMericans were dominant and destined to expand the country all the way through the West. I belief this as simply a term used to describe the yearning for a new life, and the lands that were to be aquired in the West.
ReplyDeleteEveryone: Although I believe that the term Manifest Destiny is wrongly used, I do believe we should have moved West. Expanding a nation does not mean we are superior then others, simply put, we need to expand. We had to many people and too little land. I believe we could have done things differently, the wars and desegration of the Indian Culture is very sad, we could have done much more to blend and assimilate the two cultures together.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe Americans migrated West in search of better opportunities including land, jobs and economic benefits. As more and more individuals migrated to the already overpopulated East, Americans were forced to expand westward based on the ideal of Manifest Destiny which is the belief in expanding from the Atlantic through the Pacific. Although our expansion Westward forced Natives out of their lands, the expansion was inevitable. There is only so much space an individual can live comfortably and when that space is compromised it is only natural to go to an area that is less populated.
ReplyDeleteAmerican's migrated westward because of the growing nationalistic pride at the time, that led to a feeling of destiny that America was meant to expand itself from the eastern coast to the western coast. This term was coined Manifest Destiny, and led to the American settlement of lands such as Texas, California, and Oregon, which were used for their fertile land and trade opportunities. However, the Americans ended up taking the land from its natives, with little to no negotiations. Though Americans may have acquired the land unjustly, ample land was to be needed for the growing U.S. population, though it may not have needed as much land as it had taken.
ReplyDeleteIn a way, America does still practice imperialism by trying to extend its influence to other countries, though this is more for political and economic gains at home rather than extending an American empire.
ReplyDeleteThe United States government actively encouraged settlers to move west. It gave away, or sold at reduced rates, large tracts of land to war veterans. The government also loaned money at reduced rates to civilians so that they too could move west. Some settlers, also known as squatters, ignored the requirement to buy land and simply moved on to and appropriated an unoccupied tract as their own.
ReplyDeleteManifest Destiny was an excuse for Americans to find a way to move west. It wasn't necessary for America to move forward during the time it did. Yes the nation had to grow but during that time, America needed a good enough excuse to venture and settle these new lands and Manifest Destiny was that answer. The movement westward was unjust to all the Native American tribes that were forcefully relocated to different places. They had to give up their home lands because of a belief that fell out of the sky for the lack of a better term.
ReplyDeleteI agree totally with Jon's response in that indeed America is continuously apart of some form of imperialism because there is always an extension of influence whether it is direct or not. We have much power over many nations because America is still considered the best nation, and having that title alone leads to influence in one way shape or form.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Jon, when he said that in ways the country still does part take in traces of imperialism. There isn't a day that goes by that, as a country, we don't try to expand our influence. Look at the "war on terror," we're over in historically non-doemocratic areas during them into democratic republics.
ReplyDeleteWhen the Americans moved west, the inhabitants of those lands were affected. Many Native Americans were forcibly removed from their lands and many would die in the process. It also led to them putting up fierce resistance and wars which led to the almost extermination of Indians. Lastly, the expansion led to assimilation which involved trying to convert Indians to a more catholic lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that we are being imperialistic because when we spread our values, we don't force these values on other nations like an imperialistic country would. We spread our values in a more suggestive-like way when the country needs help and see if the country accepts it.
ReplyDeleteIn today's terms, no, this expansion was not justified. We no longer think that it is acceptable for countries to take land from other countries simply because they are able to.
ReplyDeleteBut at the time that it was happening, there was definitely the idea that might made right. The US was strong enough to take those lands and therefore it was okay for them to do so.
I do not believe that it is generally appropriate to judge people by standards other than those of their own day. Therefore, I do not think that it was wrong for the US to do what it did.
I agree with John about the imperialistic-like practices of the US. The reasons for keeping territories are for either economic or military reasons.
ReplyDeleteI agree with john too the us viewed native Americans' as wild so there top priority was to their country.
ReplyDeletewho and why
ReplyDeletethey stoles everything from the native americans
ReplyDelete