The concept of Manifest Destiny is a belief dated back in the 19th century. It was a belief that the United States mission was to expand its western side across the North American continent. The expansion spreads its form of freedom, culture and democracy (Jones & Rakestraw, 2007). Manifest destiny came as a result in 1828 when Andrew Jackson was elected the president. He promised to expand the territories of the United States westward sides. This idea of manifest destiny holds that America had the right and duty to develop its civilization that fueled its boundaries move into Mexico and India. Manifest destiny comprises idealism, the mandate for territorial expansion and inherent greatness. It is an explanation for the territorial expansion of the United States and the westward side. Settlers migrate to the American frontier and doctrine that help to promote the process. The phrase also gains its meaning in 1844 by New York journalist. John L. O'Sullivan urged the United States to annex Texas Republic because it was the America’s manifestation to spread the country (Brack, 2005). As a result of this, Texas became a U.S State after the phrase attracted little attention.
The concept of slavery got its meaning and importance after the country expanded. Jackson in later years got millions of acres of India in the southern east part removing Indian nations from their homesteads. As a result of this removal, new cotton plantations were established. Despite Indian populations fought at the end for their land, several of them was removed (Morrison, 2000). This removal was forcibly done by the U.S Army driving out of their land not less than 15,000 Cherokees western side of Indian Territory in Oklahoma. Many people died out of this menace. After that, the Removal Act of 1830 was applied guaranteeing the Indians lands on the western side. Unfortunately, these promises were broken later. When settlers were encouraged to come to Texas, American government brought slaves with them. However, later in 1829, slavery in Texas was abolished to lessen American influence by the government of Mexico (Jones & Rakestraw, 2007).
As a result of this, the tension broke out because slave-owners in America sign new life contracts forcibly and in 1835, a rebellion arises out. Americans carried out a surprise attack at Jacinto River even though Mexican army won the first engagements (Brack, 2005). And in 1836, Texas government gained its independence and requested for the immediate admission into the United States. It was opposed by the Northern regions to be added to the union since it was regarded as another slave country. It then balanced precariously with 13 antislavery and proslavery states delaying its annexation until in the year 1845 (Morrison, 2000). Texas’s annexation led to the Mexican War. This war lasts from 1846 to 1848.
Moreover, Mexican government severed diplomatic ties with United States government protesting after the annexation of Texas's government. James K. Polk, the newly elected president, demanded more concessions rather than retreating the war. As a result of this war, by president Polk invading American land by the Mexican republic, divided the country, having one side the Democrats siding with the expansion of territories. California was among the areas that the United States gained as a result of this war (Jones & Rakestraw, 2007). In 1848, gold was discovered in this region. Several prospectors about 200,000 were sent to California over Gold Rush. In 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act brought proponents of proslavery and antislavery head on in war over the state of Kansas. With this act, Nebraska territory was divided into two parts, north, and south. The referendum was carried out in the two parts to decide whether slavery would be legal. The southern part of Kansas became the battleground of the warring parties. The clash broke out between antislavery and proslavery forces leading outbreak of violent. Before Kansas became a free state, about 50 men died out of this deadly war (Brack, 2005).
Republican Party came as a result of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This promoted an antislavery constitution interpretation. New pitch was reached with the case of Dred Scott in the debate of free versus slave territories (Morrison, 2000). Dred Scott was sued against living in an open land that his master brought to him. All these discussions relate to the concepts of Slavery and Manifest Destiny.
Manifest destiny advocates for certain themes and roles. The first function relates to the virtue of the people of America and their institutions. It is also referred to as American Exceptionalism. This theme was based on America's heritage and for the establishment of a virtuous society depicting an example to the old world (Jones & Rakestraw, 2007). It is argued that creation of a new and better society was a result of the American Revolution. The second theme relates to its mission. The United States mission was further discussed by President Abraham Lincoln where he describes as the last and best hope of the earth. The third role or theme relates to destiny. This is viewed as a belief that God has an influence on the foundation and other functions of United States of America. Historians believe that God has a bestowed and peculiar responsibility for the actions of mankind. On the other hand, slavery plays a significant role in two perspectives. It is seen as a revolution where several people begin to earn a living (Morrison, 2000). People were forced out of their motherland, and others brought to occupy the freed lands. On the other hand, it is a devastating doing. This is because several people were forced out of their land and later given hard labor by the high profile individuals. This was against the human rights that were put in place to guide and protect humans.
References;
Morrison, M. A. (2000). Slavery and the American West: The Eclipse of Manifest Destiny. Univ of North Carolina Press.
Brack, G. M. (2005). Mexico views manifest destiny, 1821-1846: an essay on the origins of the Mexican War. University of New Mexico Press.
Jones, H., & Rakestraw, D. A. (2007). Prologue to Manifest Destiny: Anglo-American relations in the 1840s. Rowman & Littlefield.
