Manifest Destiny: a term coined by John O Sullivan in 1845 to describe the migration of American's to the West. Manifest destiny touched on the issues of religion, money, race, patriotism, and morality.
What does Manifest Destiny consist of?
Religious fervor spawned by the Second Great Awakening
Many settlers believed that God himself blessed the growth of America and the American nation. The Native American's, as a result of this, were considered heathens. Many American's tried to Christianize tribes; American missionaries believed they could save souls. Because of this, they became the first to cross the Mississippi River.
Economic motives
Desire for more land brought homesteaders to the frontier. They could get a lot of land for a cheap price, so many of them thought "why not" and migrated. Fur trade was dominated in the West, which opened up economic opportunities for many. Beaver, oxen, and sea otter fur were popular during these times. After gold was discovered in California in 1848, the number of migrants increased. This introduced the "Gold Rush" to many American's.
American cultural and racial superiority
As mentioned before, Native American's were considered inferior and efforts to civilize them had been widespread since the beginning of America's history. The Hispanics who ruled Texas and some parts of California were also seen as the Native American's were seen: backwards and inferior. The American's had no trouble doing whatever it took migrate.
(ushistory.org)
The Trail of Tears/The Indian Removal Act
Andrew Jackson had always been resentful of Native Americans. In 1830, he pushed the Indian Removal Act on Congress. This act gave the president the power to negotiate removal treaties with Indian tribes east of the Mississippi River. The tribes would have to give up their lands in exchange for lands in the West. Jackson believed that his policy benefited the Indians and would prevent future conflicts. However, many American's saw this as brutal and inhumane. Some even protested against it. By the end of Jackson's second term, over 45,000 Indian's had been moved West of the Mississippi.
Some Indians resisted, such as the Saux and the Fox in 1832, but were overpowered by the force of the president. Some Indian's tried to adapt, such as the Cherokee, who adopted a system of agriculture, an alphabet, and a legislating legal code. The Cherokees, the Creeks, Choctaws, and the Seminoles were among the five that were referred to as the "Five Civilized Tribes." Many Indian's died on the Trail of Tears, which was what their migration was called.
What does Manifest Destiny consist of?
Religious fervor spawned by the Second Great Awakening
Many settlers believed that God himself blessed the growth of America and the American nation. The Native American's, as a result of this, were considered heathens. Many American's tried to Christianize tribes; American missionaries believed they could save souls. Because of this, they became the first to cross the Mississippi River.
Economic motives
Desire for more land brought homesteaders to the frontier. They could get a lot of land for a cheap price, so many of them thought "why not" and migrated. Fur trade was dominated in the West, which opened up economic opportunities for many. Beaver, oxen, and sea otter fur were popular during these times. After gold was discovered in California in 1848, the number of migrants increased. This introduced the "Gold Rush" to many American's.
American cultural and racial superiority
As mentioned before, Native American's were considered inferior and efforts to civilize them had been widespread since the beginning of America's history. The Hispanics who ruled Texas and some parts of California were also seen as the Native American's were seen: backwards and inferior. The American's had no trouble doing whatever it took migrate.
(ushistory.org)
The Trail of Tears/The Indian Removal Act
Andrew Jackson had always been resentful of Native Americans. In 1830, he pushed the Indian Removal Act on Congress. This act gave the president the power to negotiate removal treaties with Indian tribes east of the Mississippi River. The tribes would have to give up their lands in exchange for lands in the West. Jackson believed that his policy benefited the Indians and would prevent future conflicts. However, many American's saw this as brutal and inhumane. Some even protested against it. By the end of Jackson's second term, over 45,000 Indian's had been moved West of the Mississippi.
Some Indians resisted, such as the Saux and the Fox in 1832, but were overpowered by the force of the president. Some Indian's tried to adapt, such as the Cherokee, who adopted a system of agriculture, an alphabet, and a legislating legal code. The Cherokees, the Creeks, Choctaws, and the Seminoles were among the five that were referred to as the "Five Civilized Tribes." Many Indian's died on the Trail of Tears, which was what their migration was called.