American Thievery
People usually describe how the American empire came to be as something legendary. However, the true story of America’s upbringing is actually quite grim. America’s empire materialized through the constant expansion of the frontier and imperialism. If the world continues to live in a false reality on how America came to power, the atrocities committed in the past may repeat themselves in the present. In order to prevent future wrongdoings, it is crucial to understand that America established itself as an empire through the exploitation and slaughtering of Native Americans, annexation of foreign lands, and involvement in foreign affairs.
To start off, American imperialism began during the 17th century through the exploitation …show more content…
Additionally, within the early 19th century the American frontier shifted from strictly claiming Native American land to the annexation of land belonging to other countries. Making the 19th century the most imperialistic period of America’s history by far. By the end of the century the American people had annexed all of the land from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast as well as a few islands such as Hawaii. American imperialism progressed expeditiously within the 19th century due to the widespread belief that westward expansion was God’s plan for America. Within Annexation by John L O’Sullivan, O’Sullivan announces the annexation of Texas and heavily promotes westward expansion through the ideology of manifest destiny. In the past, Texas belonged to Mexico, but the Mexican people coexisted with the American people peacefully. As the desire for westward expansion increased, the American population of Texas rose significantly. In turn, the American colonists quickly outnumbered the Mexican citizens. Thus, eventually leading to the American colonists rebelling and claiming Texas for America. John L. O’Sullivan justifies this annexation by saying, “The independence of Texas was complete and absolute. It was an independence, not only in fact, but of right. No obligation of duty towards Mexico tended in the least degree to restrain our right to effect the desired recovery of the fair province once our own” (O’Sullivan 32). O’Sullivan is implying that because of manifest destiny, claiming Texas was America’s God given right. He is also insinuating that Mexico recognizes and respects America’s manifest destiny enough to give up Texas without a fight. In reality, this was the complete opposite of how Mexico actually felt. Mexico was enraged by the audacity of the American people and went to war with America a few years later. John O’Sullivan was clearly doing
People usually describe how the American empire came to be as something legendary. However, the true story of America’s upbringing is actually quite grim. America’s empire materialized through the constant expansion of the frontier and imperialism. If the world continues to live in a false reality on how America came to power, the atrocities committed in the past may repeat themselves in the present. In order to prevent future wrongdoings, it is crucial to understand that America established itself as an empire through the exploitation and slaughtering of Native Americans, annexation of foreign lands, and involvement in foreign affairs.
To start off, American imperialism began during the 17th century through the exploitation …show more content…
Additionally, within the early 19th century the American frontier shifted from strictly claiming Native American land to the annexation of land belonging to other countries. Making the 19th century the most imperialistic period of America’s history by far. By the end of the century the American people had annexed all of the land from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast as well as a few islands such as Hawaii. American imperialism progressed expeditiously within the 19th century due to the widespread belief that westward expansion was God’s plan for America. Within Annexation by John L O’Sullivan, O’Sullivan announces the annexation of Texas and heavily promotes westward expansion through the ideology of manifest destiny. In the past, Texas belonged to Mexico, but the Mexican people coexisted with the American people peacefully. As the desire for westward expansion increased, the American population of Texas rose significantly. In turn, the American colonists quickly outnumbered the Mexican citizens. Thus, eventually leading to the American colonists rebelling and claiming Texas for America. John L. O’Sullivan justifies this annexation by saying, “The independence of Texas was complete and absolute. It was an independence, not only in fact, but of right. No obligation of duty towards Mexico tended in the least degree to restrain our right to effect the desired recovery of the fair province once our own” (O’Sullivan 32). O’Sullivan is implying that because of manifest destiny, claiming Texas was America’s God given right. He is also insinuating that Mexico recognizes and respects America’s manifest destiny enough to give up Texas without a fight. In reality, this was the complete opposite of how Mexico actually felt. Mexico was enraged by the audacity of the American people and went to war with America a few years later. John O’Sullivan was clearly doing