In the early 1840's, America was introduced to a new movement by an influential democratic leader, John L. O'Sullivan. Sullivan explained the term Manifest Destiny as America's thirst to expand westward and claim new territories. Manifest Destiny soon became the pathway for American development westward. Americans had two contradicting ideas when it came to Manifest Destiny. There was those who supported the movement and believed America to be more enlightened in comparison to other cultures, thus giving America a "God-given right" to expand its borders to the Pacific Ocean. They held that the expansion would strengthen the Union as a rising world power, while at the same time accommodate for the rapidly growing population. On the other hand,
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They asserted that the expansion would benefit Native Americans and the people by spreading American democracy, culture and religious values. Others who supported the movement said it was necessary for the U.S. to expand westward to satisfy the increasing population; while at the same time strengthening the foundation of the Union. Many supporters of Manifest Destiny were Christian, thus the reason for "God's given right", making religion of the main ideas behind Manifest Destiny. A novelist of the time, Herman Melville stated: We Americans are the chosen people- the Israel of our time (Melville), and so furthering America's right to expand westward. America, as the chosen nation, had the obligation to expand its knowledge, culture, and religion to the western civilizations. In an 1839 article, O'Sullivan stated: The nation of many nations is destined to manifest to mankind the excellence of divine principles; to establish on earth the noblest temple ever dedicated to the worship of the Most High—the Sacred and the True. (O’Sullivan), stressing America's right to …show more content…
They stated Manifest Destiny as being an excuse for the U.S. to commit sinful acts, while at the same time denouncing it as very dangerous. Many used the constitution to express their concerns, stating that the Constitution does not give the country the right to inquire new lands. They believed the country was spreading itself too thin and would end up very vulnerable against other nations. Many abolitionists where against Manifest Destiny because they saw it as a possibility for the South to spread slavery; which would lead to even more conflict and debate about slavery in the Union. Minister William Ellery Channing wrote to former Senator Henry Clay about his thoughts of Manifest Destiny which stated: There is no fate to justify rapacious nations, any more than to justify gamblers and robbers, in plunder ... We talk of accomplishing our destiny. So did the late conqueror of Europe [Napoleon Bonaparte]; and destiny consigned him to a lonely rock in the ocean, the prey of ambition which destroyed no peace but his own? (Channing). His thoughts reflected previous events that were connected with an expansion movement that had not succeed and caused the destruction of a nation. Many argued that America did not have the right to expand westward and Manifest Destiny only served as their excuse for
They asserted that the expansion would benefit Native Americans and the people by spreading American democracy, culture and religious values. Others who supported the movement said it was necessary for the U.S. to expand westward to satisfy the increasing population; while at the same time strengthening the foundation of the Union. Many supporters of Manifest Destiny were Christian, thus the reason for "God's given right", making religion of the main ideas behind Manifest Destiny. A novelist of the time, Herman Melville stated: We Americans are the chosen people- the Israel of our time (Melville), and so furthering America's right to expand westward. America, as the chosen nation, had the obligation to expand its knowledge, culture, and religion to the western civilizations. In an 1839 article, O'Sullivan stated: The nation of many nations is destined to manifest to mankind the excellence of divine principles; to establish on earth the noblest temple ever dedicated to the worship of the Most High—the Sacred and the True. (O’Sullivan), stressing America's right to …show more content…
They stated Manifest Destiny as being an excuse for the U.S. to commit sinful acts, while at the same time denouncing it as very dangerous. Many used the constitution to express their concerns, stating that the Constitution does not give the country the right to inquire new lands. They believed the country was spreading itself too thin and would end up very vulnerable against other nations. Many abolitionists where against Manifest Destiny because they saw it as a possibility for the South to spread slavery; which would lead to even more conflict and debate about slavery in the Union. Minister William Ellery Channing wrote to former Senator Henry Clay about his thoughts of Manifest Destiny which stated: There is no fate to justify rapacious nations, any more than to justify gamblers and robbers, in plunder ... We talk of accomplishing our destiny. So did the late conqueror of Europe [Napoleon Bonaparte]; and destiny consigned him to a lonely rock in the ocean, the prey of ambition which destroyed no peace but his own? (Channing). His thoughts reflected previous events that were connected with an expansion movement that had not succeed and caused the destruction of a nation. Many argued that America did not have the right to expand westward and Manifest Destiny only served as their excuse for