Reflecting on the time period we have explored over the last couple of weeks regarding “Sea to Shining Sea” and Manifest Destiny, it is clear that this “Manifest Destiny” time period was marked by a strong belief in the divine right of the US to expand its territorial gains across the continent of North America. In addition, chapter 7 delves into the mid-1880s events leading up to the US invasion of Mexico and the subsequent expansion of the US territory to the southwest and west (Dunbar-Ortiz, 2023). The “Manifest Destiny” was not only about territorial expansion but also about spreading what was seen as a civilising influence across the continent due to the “bloodless achievement” of expansion ,despite the displacement of indigenous people and conflicts between Mexican and American people, it caused. The “Sea to Shining Sea” likely explores these themes including the Mexican-American war, indigenous peoples’ past, and America’s expansion, which reflects the darker aspects of what was deemed as Manifest Destiny (Dunbar-Ortiz, 2023).
Compare and contrast Ralph Waldo Emerson’s (and other writers like Henry David Thoreau’s) view on the Mexican War with that of President James K. Polk.
Transcendentalist Movement saw the emergence of two prominent figures, including Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. They viewed the Mexican-American war as a moral disaster and a means of spreading slavery starkly contrasted with those ideas of President James K. Polk who viewed war as a necessary action for national expansion. Emerson was vocally opposed to the Mexican-American war believing that the war had plunged the country into a dangerous state of derangement (Texas, Mexico, and America | US History I (AY Collection), n.d.). Thoreau took his opposition to the Mexican-American war a step further by acting on his beliefs and arguing that individuals have a moral duty to resist government actions that they find unjust. He viewed the war as an unjust and imperialistic action as he believed that the policies made during the Mexican-American war for national expansion were designed to expand the institution of slavery. However, James K. Polk was a strong proponent of the war and declared that the Mexican advance was an invasion of US soil so it was a justified response to Mexican aggression in his eyes. He believed that the Mexican-American war was an opportunity to expand the territory of the United States and a means to fulfill America’s, Manifest Destiny (Texas, Mexico, and America | US History I (AY Collection), n.d.). In a nutshell, their contrasting views highlight the deep divisions in American thought regarding the purpose and consequences of war.
How did religion, race, & the concept of Manifest Destiny play key roles in the Mexican-American War?
The Mexican-American war was influenced by a complex interplay of religion, race, and the narrative of Manifest Destiny as these elements combined created a powerful narrative that justified the war in the minds of many Americans. In terms of religion, America was predominantly Protestant whereas Mexico was predominantly Catholic which made a sense of Americans’ conflict with Mexicans. America viewed itself as a blessed republic with a mission to spread liberty and Protestant Christianity which further fueled the religious and moral superiority of America. Furthermore, the racial attitudes among Americans were also a means of extending American democracy as Mexicans were considered morally inferior which justified the Mexican-American war of extending values to less-civilized people. In addition, the narrative of Manifest Destiny justified the US territorial claims as the victory from Mexico was seen as the fulfillment of this destiny (Dunbar-Ortiz, 2023). The war’s outcome had lasting effects on the US territorial boundaries that set the stage for future conflicts over regional power and slavery.
In what ways does the concept of Manifest Destiny still impact the United States?
The narrative of Manifest Destiny subtly influences various dimensions of the United States as the influence of this doctrine can be seen in the US approach to expansion both geographically and ideologically. It influences the notion of spreading democracy, promoting the values of the political system, enhancing the importance of foreign policy, and intervening in global affairs. Manifest Destiny also contributed to the development of a national identity which persists in the American political and cultural system today leading to economic and geographic expansion related to infrastructure, resource use, and environmental management. The legacy of Manifest Destiny is also evident in America’s contemporary issues including immigration and the country’s role in other global affairs.
References
Dunbar-Ortiz, R. (2023). An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States. Beacon Press.
Texas, Mexico, and America | US History I (AY Collection). (n.d.). https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-ushistory1ay/chapter/texas-mexico-and-america/
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