The Effects of Manifest Destiny

The Effects of Manifest Destiny

Not being a U.S policy, the Manifest Destiny greatly affected the American expansionism, and provided for a policy that was issued in the 1800’s called the “Homestead Act”. This term first used by a newspaper editor John O’Sullivan, it called for westward expansion, and the annexation of Texas. The reason for this expansion is that the God has willed them to do so, and it was a way to help all Americans by spreading liberty and democracy. Of course, that was the settlers’ way of seeing it; however, there is another group of people that should be considered in this discussion. The settlers from the East were moving into areas that rightfully belonged to the Indians.

According to John O’Sullivan, the United States would become a recognized political and social superpower. Was the Manifest Destiny a gateway for America to become that? In terms of acquiring more land, yes. The westward expansion could be seen in the Louisiana Purchase, when America’s territory doubled in size, at the same time pushing the natives out. The Manifest Destiny definitely had many positive sides. Besides doubling the American territory by almost a half again, there came a lot of new agriculture which helped to stimulate the United States economy and develop it into a great power. Looking at the true context of the expansion, we can say that it was justified. A fact that has to be taken into great consideration is that the United States that we live in today was initially completely owned by Europe, and America was a little part that was settled in the east, places like Massachusetts. The countries like France, Spain and Britain all had an imperialistic desire, which is why they owned parts of the United States here and there. The idea of imperialism basically states that you would want to secure your borders by expanding them. The Manifest Destiny did just that. It expanded the territory, including the British owned land by the Oregon Territory.

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