Manifest Destiny Concept - Essay Example

 Manifest Destiny Every country has a feeling of national purpose or destiny. Manifest Destiny was used by politicians and leaders in the 1800s to give explanations on the United States expansion. The Americans felt it was destiny that they expanded their “freedom borders” to other areas by passing on their viewpoint on democratic foundations and ideas to the people who could govern themselves. The destiny did not incorporate those who were seen as not capable to govern themselves, such as those of non-European decent and the indigenous people. Other factors and political plans also came into play. The increase in population of the initial 13 Colonies and the growth of the United States economy increased the desire to grow into additional land. The Manifest Destiny concept tremendously influenced the United States policy. This enhanced the American expansion to the West. The idea was largely put forward by posters, newspapers and other avenues. Despite the fact that it was not a formal policy of the government, it facilitated the passing of legislations like the Homestead Act, which promoted colonization and acquisition of areas in the West (Robinson 2010, 21). Additionally, the idea was a factor in the thought of America. Movement into the West regions provided a prospect for self development. To be familiar with the concept of Manifest Destiny, it is essential to comprehend the desire and need of the United States to expand. This paper will look at how issues around it affected the U.S, how the views of Americans on the issue changed over the period, and will also mention some events as examples. How the Issues Affected the U.S John O'Sullivan, a U.S newspaper editor writing on the planned occupation of Texas, was the first to use the term in 1845. He asserted that it was America’s “manifest destiny to spread to the whole continent.” The newspaper issue recommended that through expanding, America could turn out to be a renowned superpower. According to O'Sullivan, United States had been exclusively selected for the mission of Westward expansion. This would push out the wilderness and bring civilization. Between independence and 1920, the government passed land laws that were favorable for people to migrate. The federal government also persuaded people from Europe to come and inhabit. It used the military to protect the settlers from natives. It further put money into explorations, such as that of Clark and Lewis. Wherever there was sufficient water, homesteading was practiced by people from the Midwest to the Pacific regions. Cheap and available land, high birth rates and immense population formed the basis of the expansion. Imperialism was used to facilitate the Manifest Destiny. There was a perception that mission and God was the path to Manifest Destiny. In between late 1800 and early 1900, the business community came up with the idea of International Destiny (Woodworth 2010, 65). The community believed in America broadening its authority to other regions. Imperialism was the main reason of the extension of the interest of America past the pacific. Imperialism made America take control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines, and Guam through its war with Spain. The expansionist principle of the Destiny was used as a good reason for the war between Spain and America over concern of liberating Cuba from Spain in 1898. The result was the defeat of Spain by America making Cuba independent. Despite their independence, the American forces occupied Cuba for three years. Even though there was still a lot of land in many areas of the globe that the Manifest Destiny philosophy could be applied to, accumulating land in the different regions in the world needed the adoption of new strategies. Management of the new territories required a new dedication by the military. The dedication was realized by the establishment of an up to date Navy. When the Federal Government ordered the construction of battleships and cruisers between 1880 and 1883, the expansion was enhanced. To the U.S, nations that were in charge of the seas were in control of their destiny. Yellow journalism was also influential in getting Americans to join up the Manifest Destiny interest group. Yellow journalism was most effective in the war between Spain and Cuba. During this period, William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Politzer were competing for readers of their respective newspapers. They consequently sent reporters to the warzone to cover the battle between Spain and Cuba. The reporters exaggerated events giving shocking information and presented graphic particulars of cruelty and acts of violence carried out by the Spanish. These led to the invention of new journalism. Furthermore, it played a part in provoking popular response of the Americans. Yellow journalism persuaded the United States people to support Cuba and hence the participation of America. The majority of the American population supported President McKinley when he declared war against Spain in April 1898. How the View of Americans Has Changed Over the Period Manifest Destiny initiated all kinds of opportunities. Americans not only moved to all areas of the country, but also had a frame of mind that it was “a right bestowed to them by God” to do so. This viewpoint ended up instigating hatred towards America by the people in South America. President Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to correct this unfortunate situation towards America with The Good Neighbor Policy (Pfaff 2010, 99). In addition, many individuals in America became uncomfortable with the new status of super power acquired by the U.S. Americans from all creeds and class expressed fear that occupying and controlling overseas land and its people was a disloyalty of the principles of America. Instead, the people preferred allowing mercantile and private interests to use American domination in Latin America and Asia. The view of Americans on the issue around the Manifest Destiny further changed due to economic turmoil that occurred after the 1880s growth. The country sank into a recession that put its political stability in jeopardy (Liz 2002, 56). The nation used most of its resources and energy in the expansion. Men and women who were working became agitated; many of them became political revolutionaries. American heads attempted to keep the economy moving while maintaining peace and containing political disturbances at home. The leaders’ course of action had imperative consequences for the country’s foreign policy as 1898 drew near. In conclusion, not every American who considered that America was chosen by God thought that it was a must for it to expand. Some argued that the Destiny of the United States was merely to show an example to the other countries of the world. America’s success would enable other nations to try and set up their identifiable self-governing countries. When America continued extending and acquiring new territories, slavery was increasingly becoming a prime concern, which overtook in significance expansion as the self-understood nation’s mission. References Liz, S. 2002. The American West. New York: Scholastic Inc. Pfaff, W. 2010. The Irony of Manifest Destiny: The Tragedy of America's Foreign Policy. Pennsylvania: Walker & Company. Robinson, R. 2010. Manifest Destiny. New York: Headline Books. Woodworth, S. 2010. Manifest Destinies: America's Westward Expansion and the Road to the Civil War. Pennsylvania: Knopf. Read More