The Expansion and Settlement of the US from The Atlantic to the Pacific - Essay Example

 The expansion and settlement of the US from the Atlantic to the Pacific was encouraged by newspaper publishers by the United States government, and by most of the citizens of the country. There have been advanced a plethora of reasons supporting this move, some of which are briefly highlighted in this essay. Some of these reasons are defensible whereas some appear egotistical, self-centered and selfish. For instance, the belief that it was simply manifest destiny that such an expansion should occur is not far from distilled arrogance (Dallek, 345).

Those who advance this reason, hold that it was America’s God given responsibility to extend the US from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Apart from the fact that not all are religious leave alone believe in God, most of those who lost their lands may find it hard reconciling their ways to the very God who annexed their lands. It made evangelism hard (Dallek, 365). The more defensible reason was the need for new lands for farming, living (as there were experienced population blooms like none other before due to the high birth rates) and opportunities for business yet the new lands offered more land that could be shared with all concerned (Dallek, 377).

In addition, this was a new hope and beginning to most, and a chance for many fugitives to start a new chapter. Slaves could have their freedom in the Western territories (Dallek, 411). However, there are still a number of addition reasons that seemed intolerable/ indefensible. Such included politicians seeking to make names for themselves in the new-found and under-developed regions so that they could obtain seats in the Senate/ House easier than was possible while in New England (Dallek, 418).

Also, a few others maliciously harbored the desire of extending slavery and its trade in these lands and thus strike more fortunes. All these reasons go against the norms and virtues associated with humanity and are thus indefensible. They are selfish reasons engineered for personal gain and glory.Works CitedDallek, Robert. American history. [Teacher's ed. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2008. Print, 345, 365, 377, 411, 418.