In the late 1700’s Indian People and European benevolent powers dominated the North American continent, however, as the United States began to encounter what many called divine intervention, this rule would soon change. The territorial expansion that was identified here experienced its genesis approximately 100 years later in 1840. The territorial expansion period was known as “Manifest Destiny”; the purpose of manifest destiny was to accelerate western settlement and provide a justification for the continued process of continental expansion. The term was coined by John Sullivan who was a firm believer in the theory he stated that “ its magnificent domain of space and time, the nation of many nations is destined to manifest to mankind the excellence
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The territories ranging from Spanish Florida, to the annexation of Texas, Oregon Country, Mexico, and Gadsen Purchase all played a significant role in creating the U.S as we see it today. Texas had once been occupied by American settlers who desired to develop plantations. The settlers had wanted to seek permission for Mexico to be admitted( into the Mexican nation as an independent state. However, The Native Mexicans refused and, consequently one of the most famous battles occurred, Santa Anna's attack on the Alamo. Texas declared that it was independent in 1836, but soon after In 1845 it was annexed by the United States and became the 28th state (How and Why did America Expand Westward, Social Studies Help Center). Each territory that was gained gave America something that it longed for, for example, the Gadsen Purchase gave America miles and miles of railroad tracks, and the purchasing of Texas gave America an abundant supply of oil, and nutrient rich …show more content…
During the time period, the only way Americans could get land was from conquest, and territorializing. Evidently, U.S Imperialism was incredibly important to the development of America. However, as previously stated before Manifest Destiny was all based on blind faith, and the belief that America was destined to grow, and develop. I agree with the fact that America needed to expand, and pursue alternative methods of capital, and I come to the conclusion that Manifest Destiny gave them the approval in expanding. In simpler terms, America knew that it had to expand, and the theory of Manifest Destiny basically gave them an excuse to expand in the name of divine intervention. Now arises the question, to what extent was the concept of Manifest Destiny merely a justification for U.S imperialism and greed? To be exact, there really cannot be a definite answer, it all depends on the perspective taken. From the territorial benefits perspective, Manifest Destiny does not seem as something as terrible as it puts out to be. It is important to keep in mind that for Jefferson, More territory= more power= less foreign threats. Because of Manifest Destiny the U.S was ultimately protected from foreign threats, and was kept in power. So, in that case it was an excuse for imperialism and greed to a low extent. However, looking at it from the moral perspective, and
The territories ranging from Spanish Florida, to the annexation of Texas, Oregon Country, Mexico, and Gadsen Purchase all played a significant role in creating the U.S as we see it today. Texas had once been occupied by American settlers who desired to develop plantations. The settlers had wanted to seek permission for Mexico to be admitted( into the Mexican nation as an independent state. However, The Native Mexicans refused and, consequently one of the most famous battles occurred, Santa Anna's attack on the Alamo. Texas declared that it was independent in 1836, but soon after In 1845 it was annexed by the United States and became the 28th state (How and Why did America Expand Westward, Social Studies Help Center). Each territory that was gained gave America something that it longed for, for example, the Gadsen Purchase gave America miles and miles of railroad tracks, and the purchasing of Texas gave America an abundant supply of oil, and nutrient rich …show more content…
During the time period, the only way Americans could get land was from conquest, and territorializing. Evidently, U.S Imperialism was incredibly important to the development of America. However, as previously stated before Manifest Destiny was all based on blind faith, and the belief that America was destined to grow, and develop. I agree with the fact that America needed to expand, and pursue alternative methods of capital, and I come to the conclusion that Manifest Destiny gave them the approval in expanding. In simpler terms, America knew that it had to expand, and the theory of Manifest Destiny basically gave them an excuse to expand in the name of divine intervention. Now arises the question, to what extent was the concept of Manifest Destiny merely a justification for U.S imperialism and greed? To be exact, there really cannot be a definite answer, it all depends on the perspective taken. From the territorial benefits perspective, Manifest Destiny does not seem as something as terrible as it puts out to be. It is important to keep in mind that for Jefferson, More territory= more power= less foreign threats. Because of Manifest Destiny the U.S was ultimately protected from foreign threats, and was kept in power. So, in that case it was an excuse for imperialism and greed to a low extent. However, looking at it from the moral perspective, and