Manifest Destiny

In 1776, a nation was created under the pretences of liberty and equality for every man.  Little did the founding fathers know that their new country would one day stretch from sea to shining sea.  This massive idea of exploration was derived from the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, which would explain America’s “God-given” right to own all of the western land that is the modern day America.  Of course there would also be the question of ethicality, and whether or not it should be right to displacing Native Americans for the sake of exploration.  However, it would soon be realized that more than just extents of land awaited American settlers.

At first glance, Manifest Destiny was seen as propaganda, or a method in which a cause is intended to influence people’s beliefs.  However, historians believe that the magnificent land in such a spiritually imposing environment inspired Americans that there truly was a religious right of passage into the West.  William E. Weeks describes Manifest Destiny in three separate “themes”.  First was “virtue”, or doing what is right, for the American people and the economy.  Secondly, he stated Manifest Destiny was based on the “mission” that this was spread amongst the American people and developing what is the modern America.  Lastly, Weeks explained Manifest Destiny as the “destiny” of the people under the word of God.

The western land of America contained the most dangerous climates to travel through, but at the end of the road rewarded settlers with vast, beautiful lands and valuable natural resources.  In the majestic areas that are now national parks, settlers claimed to even feel a spiritual connection with their god, further justifying the position of manifest destiny.  Moreover, the risk of travel across the Rocky Mountains of Midwest United States was certainly worth the massive gold rush sparked by new settlements in colonies around California.  Cheap land in the west and economic opportunity encouraged the doctrine of Manifest Destiny to be genuinely accepted amongst the American citizens.  Certainly, these opportunities were an extremely important factor in shaping America into what it is today.  This is depicted by the painting American Destiny by John Gast, where an angel guides American explorers across the Great Plains.  This painting visually describes the God-given right of Manifest Destiny.

When all was said and done, America fought and purchased to control land from the east to the west.  Further developments such as the transcontinental railroad and motor transportation united the large cities in the east and west.  By the late seventeen hundreds, America had a powerful economy throughout its settlements with abundant resources from the areas discovered through Manifest Destiny.  Certainly, the doctrine of Manifest Destiny was fully worth it to shape the modern America.  Through Manifest Destiny, America captured the essence of what it would become and the reputation our beautiful land in the Midwest through the Rocky Mountains and would eventually become land of the free, home of the brace, from sea to shining sea.