Hey everyone! This blog is going to focus on Manifest Destiny and how the idea has transformed, or not, and is affecting us today. Basically, I would like to start off with you guys listing your own ideas on how we see some of the ideas from Manifest Destiny today in how the United States deals with foreign and internal issues (I would like to stay away from the obvious, the War in Iraq. But if you really want to touch on that you can). After we have listed some example of Manifest Destiny in America, I will provide you with a specific event I feel embodied the ideas of Manifest Destiny and we will have a mini-debate on why it did or did not. Now, to get the ball rolling, I will explain what Manifest Destiny is.
Manifest Destiny was a movement in the 1800s which led to territorial expansion. Americans were getting the idea that it was their duty to expand into the remainder of the hemisphere, at least, and to conquer lands so they could spread culture and democratic ideals. The American people wanted to do this because they believed that God had selected them to take on this task. The people of the United States exerted their power on other lands and peoples because they believed they were superior and that their way of life (government, culture, practices, etc.) were better than those of others. Remember...?
Use the idea stated in italics to support you example by telling us how your example reflects these ideals. Of if you are supporting the opposite, use the italicized information to show why Manifest Destiny is no longer shown by America.
Have fun with this, be creative!
d-(^_^)-b
11 comments:
I feel that American politics and foerign polocies are a contination and modern application of the 17th century Manifest Destiny movement. As stated in the italisized information, a major center to this concept was the idea of America being a superior nation, and having a responsibility to spread it's influence in world issues. In the modern applications of this concept it is not intentional spread of our "superior" influences as it was in the 1800's. But the nation has grown in a position of leadership where we influence other nations wheather intentionally or not. An example i thought of for this is the Korean War and Cold war in the 1950's, (I am definantly NOT an expert on this at all!) In this instance, american intervention was nesicary to defend against soviet, communist governments. This shows the huge action taken by american forces to expand exposure to democratic governments and goal to replace un-democratic institutions.
The manifest destiny defiantly had a major impact in our country due to the expansion of west and acquiring more lands. The fact that is because of this USA today have way more lands then the original thirteen colonies. Also if it wasn't for manifest destiny and people arguing over which states should be slave or free state, slavery would still probably occur.
Some ideas of Manifest Destiny could be like missionaries because they go all around the world trying to get people to their believe in their beliefs and as they would probably say god had sent them and following god's way is the right way.
Jimmy mentioned above that missionaries go around the world and try to change peoples views. I completely agree with him that manifest destiny has changed into that. Just like in the 1800's, these missionaries feel they should spread and make sure everyone is the same as them. They feel that because someone has different beliefs that they are not as good as the missionaries are.
America has continued to exhibit Manifest Destiny since the 17 hundreads in the aspects that we continuely atempt to expand our democratic ideals and western life style to other countries. look at Iraq for instance. they didn't ask us to come in and change their governments, yet we did and we remain their to this day do to our need to "convert" the Iraqis to American life style
Ok, so we have an excellent start here but now I would like to direct this conversation to a more specific even and have everyone discuss how it does, or does not show Manifest Destiny ideals. The Russia-Georgia conflict has been going on for many years (since 1801), Georgia gaining its independence in 1991. August 15 of this year (2008), President Bush made the decision to fully support this “new” DEMOCRATIC country in its struggles against Russia. Does this issue show manifest destiny ideals and how? (If you are not familiar with this dispute, I posted a link at the top of the original post that will direct you to a timeline you can use)
Frankly, I believe that this doesn't really reflect manifest destiny. My reason being is that a territory once from Russia, seperated due to fall of gov. in Russia. Afterwards, there was bitter tension among the 2 nations, and a few events sparked up to the conflict. Notice that huge gap from 1992 to 2006 with no conflicts. the explosion afterward reflects the tension between the two nations, with fingers pointing blame at each other... In stead of Manifest Destiny, i'd rather compare this to the American revolution, and the following war of 1812..it was not war on spreading beliefs and/or want for land, but rather bitter feelings for Gerogia and Russia after Georgia's independence, and conflict over those feelings.
whoops..small typo...there's no space between "in stead", sorry
I think the idea of America being so involved in other countries and their conflicts shows Manifest Destiny because it brings out how we're spreading our culture and control. I also agree with what Helen said about being not being a "superior influence" purposefully.
It's true in the sense that we are pushing our cultures and beliefs upon a country; looking at the War in Iraq, it is shown that Mcdonalds is pushing its business there, aided along by the military soldiers. However, can we really call these companies our "beliefs"? after all, they are for their own purpose of getting rich, and really isn't worthy or representing us.
Manifest destiny paid a very important role on America and teh way the states are divided as well as the allies we have. Yes the obvious example would be the Iraq war but i can't help it alex ....sorry!!!!
The Iraq war generally is a very misunderstood war. The controversey over its origin is a commonly argued topic.
The Iraq War is the largest idea of Manifest destiny as well as America's attempt to conquer (i forgot he name).....the land that russia and teh US are ardueing over and that Bush wanted to go to war for. The idea is to make Irq assimilate and change there form of governemnt to democratic thus following America's politics. There leader was killed by the American's because he was accused of illegal treatment of his people. By taking there leader away it means that the America saw him unft to lead them because he did not rule the way they wanted and would prefer. That is a major example of America exerting there power on people because they think they can teach them a better way of government and that way is democratic
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