This painting (circa 1872) by John Gast called American Progress, is an allegorical representation of the modernization of the new west. Here Columbia, (an historical and poetic name for America) a personification of the United States, leads civilization westward with American settlers, stringing telegraph wire as she sweeps west; she holds a school book. The different stages of economic activity of the pioneers are highlighted and, especially, the changing forms of transportation. Native Americans and animals flee in terror.
In one detailed paragraph, (citing examples) explain what was the Manifest Destiny. Ensure you quote at least 3 times. Feel free to make references to paintings that capture the concept of the Manifest Destiny as well. (10 marks)
The Manifest Destiny was a concept that was first hinted at by Thomas Jefferson. The concept was later introduced by John O'Sullivan. He was a democrat leader and a newspaper editor. In his statement he stated that America had the God-given right for America to occupy the entire North American continent and throughout the world. (John O'Sullivan 1845) "(It is)...our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of that great experiment of liberty". The picture called American Progress, above by artist John Gast (1872)depicts America as angel sent by God to bring light to the dark and desolate landscapes making way for the American People to settle and also,ahead of her wild animals, buffalo and Indians been depicted as the darkness fleeing the land clearing way for the American settlement ( picture found in the Library of Congress LC-USZC4-688).
ReplyDeleteJhonaton: 1) The manifest destiny, changed the way the entire world saw the United states. No longer were they seen as just conquers and innovators who would burst the limit of past inventions and development; but now they were seen as a nation with the divine right to rule. Consequently it would be the ideas flowing from the manifest destiny that would create the high expectations for Americans to succeed and ultimately , the first world status now held by one of the most powerful nation on earth. The U.S This essay seeks to define the manifest destiny and express the effects of this ideology on America.
ReplyDeleteThe manifest destiny was a belief, strong back then, but very alive today that the United States was destined to rule “manifest destiny defined the Uther Anders Stephens in his book Manifest destiny expansionism and the empire of right postulates that “stubborn belief in the superiority of white people” Historians posit that though the term is much older, mainly, John L. O’sullivan coined the term “manifest destiny” in the July/August 1845 issue of the United States Magazine and Democratic Review in an article titled "Annexation." Under the banner of the manifest destiny, Shane Mountjoy in his book “manifest destiny :westward expansion that it was the manifest destiny that gave impetus for the acquisition of lands : territories were under American control and the country allowed to expand eastward to the pacific ocean. The Americans were able to exploit other nations with a clear conscious under the conviction that the manifest destiny was their guide and their obligation to rule. As a result Cuba would be fought over, legislations will be set in place and just about every political button would be pushed until they people of America saw a reflection of their dream, a super power. No one saw what was coming from the declaration of the manifest destiny, one author, Barry .B. Longyear, in her book explained that the manifest destiny was “understated, unexpected, and powerful”
Truly the manifest destiny was an ideology to be feared by all nations outside the US.