1. Introduction Westward Movement sparkles in the history of United States of America. Through westward expansion, America occupied a dominant position in the Western Hemisphere with vast territory stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, being rich in natural resources, and enjoying a broad market. From start to finish of the Westward Movement, Manifest Destiny played an important role theoretically and mentally. It served as a justification for expansionists who utilized the religious, racial and political ideas to grab a vast tract of land, and as a conviction cherished by the removers to explore the west area.
Q: In what ways did the French and Indian War (1754-1763) alter the political, economic and ideological relations between Britain and its American colonies? After the French and Indian War, the American colonies were feeling a sense of pride and very delighted on winning this war. The French and Indian War; however, started to change the relations between Britain and its American colonies: Politically, economically, and ideologically. The concept of virtual representation was challenged by the American colonies and the British had tightened its hold on its American colonies, abandoning the solitary neglect that the American colonies had liked. Gaining more land was only one of the many things that made the American colonies overjoyed.
Mexican-American War is a big event in the 19th century, in which the concept of Manifest Destiny was related with war. The Mexican-American War was not only for increased territory, but also a symbol of America's racial misunderstanding. Some White people have the superiority with themselves. [1] They took Mexican people’s land as Manifest Destiny, above all moral and law. Many Americans believe that God give them the power and duty to expand territory, strengthen the United States.
The opening of the American Frontier gave rise to myriad and varied myths associated with people, places and events (Slatta, 2010). The Native American Indians is a prime example of myths and realities colliding together into blurred lines in the history books. Since the discovery of North America, the Indians have been depicted as a guarded race. Standing in the shadows and observing the settlers until they were confident they meant no harm. Once the Indians were comfortable with their friendship, they taught the settlers the ways of this new land.
At first, politics kept the settlers from moving into Indian territory, but soon, pressure from the settlers urged the government to push westward for more land. “Indian removal was necessary for the opening of the vast American lands to agriculture, to commerce, to markets, to money, to the development of the modern capitalist economy. Land was indispensable for all this,” (Zinn 126). Here is my reaction: I realize this is perhaps the first time in American history where wealth in land became the clear, obvious, powerful concept. This is where the Louisiana Purchase spurred several more of its type and where it was acknowledged that land was absolutely necessary for American advancement.
However, England dominated the region economically. In an effort to claim the territory peaceably, the United States encouraged its citizens to settle there, appealing to their sense of nationalism as well as offering incentives in the form of land subsidies. The government told citizens it was their “Manifest Destiny”, their God-given right and obligation, to settle the west and bring the American culture to the area. The Oregon Trail
According to the article, Native American mascots bring more negativity than the luck they are supposed to bring, “…(1) they [mascots] reflect and reinforce stereotypes, (2) they harm Native Americans, and (3) Native Americans do not have control over them,” (IMHTNA). Native Americans are already stereotyped against by having “red skin and feathers in their hair.” Seeing this exact image portrayed by many school mascots reinforces these stereotypes and keeps people thinking close-mindedly. However, it’s not just recently begun to be a problem; Native Americans were treated harshly back in the 1800s as well. The United States government was cruel to Native Americans in more ways than one, “The soldiers attack your villages and kill your women, children, and old people,” (Lakota). In many cases, the United States government had agreed and signed a treaty with the Native Americans, but then had broken the treaty soon after.
Ever since the Pilgrims and Europeans first landed in America, westward expansion has been a goal of the common people. All groups of people have wanted to move westward to spread religions, establish new colonies, and claim better and more valuable resources. This began primarily in 1845 when president James K. Polk proposed to Congress that we begin expanding westward and coined the term “Manifest Destiny.” After Polk’s proposal, people began to feel the urge to move westward and settle the land for the betterment of the United States. However, it was the actions of the U.S. military against the Native Americans in their western homelands and the establishment of the Homestead Act in 1862 that sparked the massive internal migration movements in the United States.
The railroads brought new change to what Americans everyday lives. The two most important effects of the coming of railroads on everyday life and ideas in late 19th century New Mexico and southern Colorado were Manifest Destiny the incorporation of the West. John O’ Sullivan from the New York, Morning Post states that 1. )“(It is).. our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty.” 1 Americans know thought it was their right to take the land in the West and that it was also part of their freedom. The railroad brought corporate entities to the West 2.)
In 1838, the US army forced the Cherokees from their homelands in the Trail of Tears into Indian Territory. As people moved west and Western Movement pushed on, more and more Indians were removed and eventually they were nearly annihilated from America. Western Movement is often given the stereotype by Americans as a glorious expansion of our brilliant country into the lands of the setting sun. But, this vision is not true. American expansion caused more harm than good.