Manifest Destiny by Dave McMillan

Related historical timeline created with Timeliner (Nobles grad, Tom Snyder)

Last updated/uploaded: 5/3/98

In American history Manifest Destiny has come to represent the era or transcontinental expansion during the 1800's. However, Manifest Destiny has been active in North America from before the establishment of the country as a nation. The American destiny during the 1800's has its origins in the perceived destinies of ancient civilizations. Religious destinies and exploits are also factors which lead to the culmination of the American destiny. Finally, Manifest Destiny will be explored from the viewpoint of need for new land and opportunity. The expansion of the country began with the purchase of the Louisiana Territory in 1803 and did not end until the acquisition of Hawaii in 1933.

Albert K Wienberg, historian, and author of Manifest Destiny: A Study in National Expansion in American History believes the American frontiersman equated freedom with growth. The American destiny, if there is one, was believed to encompass spreading the European anglo ideology across the country. To do this, the settlers had to move west and carry with them not only the ideology, but a superior attitude with which they imposed their beliefs on any and all who were in their path west. In order to establish a "European" and "civilized" lifestyle, the pioneers felt it was necessary to squelch any and all opposition. This ideal however can hardly be considered new especially in the 1830's and 40's. This is a look at the historical examples of great nations and how human nature is believed to have played a role in "Manifest Destiny."
--Dave McMillan, student at Noble and Greenough, Class of 2000
--history teacher: Don Allard
--sources: The Manifest Destiny Page: http://members.aol.com/htmpro/origin.htm

graphics of Manifest Destiny

related web sites for Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion