Cline Nalbandian Theory Of Manifest Destiny

The American West before its conquest and establishment was a metaphorical ideology formulated by the American government within the Young America movement. In an attempt to encourage pioneers towards the frontier and to “Go West”, the United States explored the powerful notion of Manifest Destiny, creating the perception that the undiscovered land was given to America through support of Providence. This ideology and its strict adherence during settlement, poses the question: Did manifest destiny have a positive or negative effect on the development of the frontier? Through implementation of notions of optimism, individualism and democracy, the lifestyles of the pioneers gave way to both innovation and development as well as violence, disorder and crime. Celine Nalbandian investigates how the government ideology affected the actions of the pioneers during westward expansion and the evident contrast that exists between determining whether the frontier was one of social development or primarily based on conquest and conflict.
The American West is a setting that one …show more content…
The 1845 concept of “Manifest Destiny,” coined by American Journalist John L. O 'Sullivan wrote of "[America’s] manifest destiny … to possess the whole continent which Providence has given for … the great experiment of liberty." The ideology manifested into a national belief that it was America’s destiny and duty to conquer the West in the name of God, nature and civilization. The 1872 painting by John Gast labelled “American Progress” (Pictured) was propaganda showcased to facilitate the movement across the Plains. The personified female of the United States, leads civilization westward from the East into the desolation of the West, guiding pioneers and evolving forms of transportation and communication ahead towards the buffalo and Indians of the