Manifest Destiny Essay Thesis

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The concept of Manifest Destiny is prevalent in various eras of American history. Manifest Destiny can be dated all the way back to the early 1500’s when Columbus found America. After this, the concept can be applied in early 1800’s, throughout the American Revolution, and then again in the 19th century, where the term was first coined by John L O 'Sullivan.
The concept of Manifest Destiny has helped to carve America. The idea is first noted when Christopher Columbus found North America. The colonist believed it was their “Manifest Destiny” to have found the land. It was a gift sent by God that led Columbus to discover their new home. Because God had led them to this new land, they believed it must be theirs to keep. As a result, they use the term “Manifest Destiny” to justify the removal of Indians. This discovery of new land presented an opportunity from God to all the colonist to spread the word of Christianity. They proposed it was God’s gift to bless them with a chance to break away from what they believed to be selfish leaders in England. With this new land, it was …show more content…
He used this term to describe the motivation to expand west. The concept was meant to describe how some believed they were granted with God’s gifts, while other felt the western expansion was what the nation needed. He states how a nation filled with many diverse means, was “destined to manifest to mankind the excellence of divine principles” (Allard). Both, Polk and O’Sullivan believed moving west would be the start of a new life for America. The concept, allowed people to obtain their individual 's freedoms and to search new opportunities. Manifest Destiny was spoken as a way to build the future of America; America could Manifest any desire. It hoped to Manifest the idea of being viewed as a “city upon a hill” (Winthrop). This was all America ever wanted was to be; a country other nations could look up

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