Manifest destiny
"We have it in our power to start the world over again." -Thomas Paine
Manifest Destiny, a phrase used by leaders and politicians in the 1840s to explain continental expansion by the United States, boosted a sense of "mission" or national destiny for the Americans. People felt it was their mission to extend their "boundaries of freedom". For many colonists, the thought of new land would bring wealth, more income, and freedom. By the 1840's, the United States had a great economy and population. Manifest Destiny first appeared in 1845 when a democratic leader and editor named John L, O'Sullivan wrote about the expansion and even gave Manifest Destiny it's name. He interpreted the phrase to mean that the United States was predestined to have control over the entire continent because God wanted it that way. He also predicted that the U.S. would acquire California, like they did with Texas.
".... the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federaltive development of self government entrusted to us. It is right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth."
In the mid 1800's, Manifest Destiny started becoming tied with slavery. If there were a new territory, they didn't know if it was going to be free states or slave states. In 1844, the Whig party passed up John Tyler, who was pro-slavery, for Senate Henry Clay for the presidential campaign.
The religious passion sprung by the Second Great Awakening created another motivation for the drive westward. Settlers believed that God himself blessed the growth of the nation. The Native Americans were believed to not have a religion, which made the settlers upset. By Christianizing the tribes, the Americans felt more faithful and they became the first settlers to cross the Mississippi River. Economy was also a major motiveas to westward. In 1848, gold was found in California, which caused a Gold Rush. Many risked their lives to become wealthy. The Donner Party was a very famous example. They supposedly took a shorter route to get to California. They encounter many problems, like bad weather and animals. After being trapped in snow, they decided to use cannibalism.
"Donner Pass, in the Sierra Nevada of northern California, is named for the Donner party. The pass now represents the most important transmontane route (rail and highway) connecting San Francisco with Reno. It lies within Tahoe National Forest, and Donner Memorial State Park is nearby."
Manifest Destiny, a phrase used by leaders and politicians in the 1840s to explain continental expansion by the United States, boosted a sense of "mission" or national destiny for the Americans. People felt it was their mission to extend their "boundaries of freedom". For many colonists, the thought of new land would bring wealth, more income, and freedom. By the 1840's, the United States had a great economy and population. Manifest Destiny first appeared in 1845 when a democratic leader and editor named John L, O'Sullivan wrote about the expansion and even gave Manifest Destiny it's name. He interpreted the phrase to mean that the United States was predestined to have control over the entire continent because God wanted it that way. He also predicted that the U.S. would acquire California, like they did with Texas.
".... the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federaltive development of self government entrusted to us. It is right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth."
In the mid 1800's, Manifest Destiny started becoming tied with slavery. If there were a new territory, they didn't know if it was going to be free states or slave states. In 1844, the Whig party passed up John Tyler, who was pro-slavery, for Senate Henry Clay for the presidential campaign.
The religious passion sprung by the Second Great Awakening created another motivation for the drive westward. Settlers believed that God himself blessed the growth of the nation. The Native Americans were believed to not have a religion, which made the settlers upset. By Christianizing the tribes, the Americans felt more faithful and they became the first settlers to cross the Mississippi River. Economy was also a major motiveas to westward. In 1848, gold was found in California, which caused a Gold Rush. Many risked their lives to become wealthy. The Donner Party was a very famous example. They supposedly took a shorter route to get to California. They encounter many problems, like bad weather and animals. After being trapped in snow, they decided to use cannibalism.
"Donner Pass, in the Sierra Nevada of northern California, is named for the Donner party. The pass now represents the most important transmontane route (rail and highway) connecting San Francisco with Reno. It lies within Tahoe National Forest, and Donner Memorial State Park is nearby."