History UsefulNotes / ManifestDestiny

Of course, two hundred years ago most of North America wasn't owned by the USA. By modern moral standards, which frown upon both venal motives and killing, the UsefulNotes/MexicanAmericanWar and the ethnic cleansings of the native tribes from [[InjunCountry their lands]] and onto reservations were repulsive. But even at the time, the idea was criticized by the more isolationist parts of the country as imperialistic. Among supporters, the ''direction'' of expansion, [[CanadaEh north]] or {{south|OfTheBorder}}, was subject to fierce debate. Northerners and abolitionists were afraid that a sea of new slave states would be carved out of the former Mexican territories and thus demanded [[UsefulNotes/TheOtherRainforest the Oregon country]] to make up for it. Arguments over which of the new territories would enter the Union as slave states and which would enter as free states were a major part of the growing North/South divide that led to [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanCivilWar the Civil War]], as was the idea, lobbied hard for by slaveholders, that the USA should expand southwards into Latin America and the Caribbean (generally because those nations would add thousands of extra slaveholding electors to the Union).

Of course, two hundred years ago most of North America wasn't owned by the USA. By modern moral standards, which frown upon both venal motives and killing, the UsefulNotes/MexicanAmericanWar and the ethnic cleansings of the native tribes from [[InjunCountry their lands]] and onto [[TheRez reservations]] were repulsive. But even at the time, the idea was criticized by the more isolationist parts of the country as imperialistic. Among supporters, the ''direction'' of expansion, [[CanadaEh north]] or {{south|OfTheBorder}}, was subject to fierce debate. Northerners and abolitionists were afraid that a sea of new slave states would be carved out of the former Mexican territories and thus demanded [[UsefulNotes/TheOtherRainforest the Oregon country]] to make up for it. Arguments over which of the new territories would enter the Union as slave states and which would enter as free states were a major part of the growing North/South divide that led to [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanCivilWar the Civil War]], as was the idea, lobbied hard for by slaveholders, that the USA should expand southwards into Latin America and the Caribbean (generally because those nations would add thousands of extra slaveholding electors to the Union).

Of course, two hundred years ago most of North America wasn't owned by the USA. By modern moral standards, which frown upon both venal motives and killing, the UsefulNotes/MexicanAmericanWar and the ethnic cleansings of the native tribes from [[InjunCountry their lands]] and onto [[TheRez reservations]] were repulsive. But even at the time, the idea was criticized by the [[BystanderSyndrome more isolationist]] parts of the country as imperialistic. Among supporters, the ''direction'' of expansion, [[CanadaEh north]] or {{south|OfTheBorder}}, was subject to fierce debate. Northerners and abolitionists were afraid that a sea of new slave states would be carved out of the former Mexican territories and thus demanded [[UsefulNotes/TheOtherRainforest the Oregon country]] to make up for it. Arguments over which of the new territories would enter the Union as slave states and which would enter as free states were a major part of the growing North/South divide that led to [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanCivilWar the Civil War]], as was the idea, lobbied hard for by slaveholders, that the USA should expand southwards into Latin America and the Caribbean (generally because those nations would add thousands of extra slaveholding electors to the Union).

[[caption-width-right:306:Probably not how the Native Americans saw it.]]

Manifest Destiny was a belief system and movement in the 1800s and 1900s which held that the United States of America (USA) was fated to extend from the eastern coast of North America to the western, and perhaps to encompass the entirety of North (and perhaps South) America - and even beyond (see, for example, its subsequent colonisation of overseas islands, such as the UsefulNotes/{{Philippines}}, UsefulNotes/PuertoRico, UsefulNotes/{{Guam}}, etc.). Of course, most of the country's citizens were Christian at the time and so to them the theory of Manifest Destiny held that not only was it fated that the USA stretch from coast to coast, it was considered [[MissionFromGod only right and good by God himself]]. Accordingly, [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans any amount and type of killing and general barbarity was justified in service of this goal]]. Manifest Destiny was used to justify several aggressive wars of conquest, the suppression of several rebellions, and a few ethnic cleansings (of natives).

Of course, two hundred years ago most of North America wasn't owned by the USA. By modern moral standards, which frown upon both venal motives and killing, the UsefulNotes/MexicanAmericanWar and the ethnic cleansings of the native tribes from [[InjunCountry their lands]] and onto [[TheRez reservations]] were somewhat repulsive. But even at the time, the idea was criticized by the [[BystanderSyndrome more isolationist]] parts of the country as imperialistic. Among supporters, the ''direction'' of expansion, [[CanadaEh north]] or {{south|OfTheBorder}}, was subject to fierce debate. Northerners and abolitionists were afraid that a sea of new slave states would be carved out of the former Mexican territories and thus demanded [[UsefulNotes/TheOtherRainforest the Oregon country]] to make up for it. Arguments over which of the new territories would enter the Union as slave states and which would enter as free states were a major part of the growing North/South divide that led to [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanCivilWar the Civil War]], as was the idea, lobbied hard for by slaveholders, that the USA should expand southwards into Latin America and the Caribbean (generally because those nations would add thousands of extra slaveholding electors to the Union).

Interestingly, Manifest Destiny inspired an imitative movement in Germany. Where Manifest Destiny held that English-language culture was destined to expand to the west, ''Drang nach Osten'' ('Eastward Drive') held that German civilization would have to do the same toward its east, if it were to be in any position to contest the English-speakers for leadership of the European peoples in the struggle against the world's lesser races, and the Asiatic hordes in particular. The German government attempted to realize this homegrown version of Manifest Destiny [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII in the period 1939-45]], [[UsefulNotes/TheHolocaust with even less tolerance for the 'natives' swept up in it]].

Manifest Destiny was a belief system and movement in the 1800s and 1900s which held that the United States of America (USA) was fated to extend from the eastern coast of North America to the western, and perhaps to encompass the entirety of North (and perhaps South) America - and even beyond (see, for example, its subsequent colonisation of overseas islands, such as the UsefulNotes/{{Philippines}}, UsefulNotes/PuertoRico, UsefulNotes/{{Guam}}, etc.). Of course, most of the country's citizens were Christian at the time and so to them the theory of Manifest Destiny held that not only was it fated that the USA stretch from coast to coast, it was considered [[MissionFromGod only right and good by God himself]]. Accordingly, [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans any amount and type of killing and general barbarity was justified in service of this goal]]. Manifest Destiny was used to justify several aggressive wars of conquest, the suppression of several rebellions, and a few ethnic cleansings (of natives). Do note that while these ethnic cleansings were ''implicitly'' genocidal, as their conditions were somewhat lethal and the consequences of non-compliance could be very much so, their purpose ''was not'' to cleanse North America of such inferior races. Rather, it was trusted that such races would naturally wither away into nothingness, or at least into irrelevance as they were out-bred by superior ones and mired in poverty.

[[caption-width-right:306:Probably not how the Native Americans [[MookHorrorShow saw it]].]]

[[caption-width-right:306:Probably not how the Native Americans saw it.]]

As can be seen by looking at a modern map, the destiny was fulfilled, except for the Canadian part of it extending to the Arctic Ocean, and down into Mexico. It may be useful to note that Manifest Destiny itself is the reason for this, as rapid and aggressive American expansion inspired the leadership of both nations to rally their citizens toward defense of an otherwise non-unified country or country that hadn't quite gotten past the planning stages yet.

Of course, two hundred years ago most of north America wasn't owned by the USA. By modern moral standards, which frown upon both venal motives and killing, the UsefulNotes/MexicanAmericanWar and the ethnic cleansings of the native tribes from [[InjunCountry their lands]] and onto [[TheRez reservations]] were somewhat repulsive. But even at the time, the idea was criticized by the [[BystanderSyndrome more isolationist]] parts of the country as imperialistic. Among supporters, the ''direction'' of expansion, [[CanadaEh north]] or {{south|OfTheBorder}}, was subject to fierce debate. Northerners and abolitionists were afraid that a sea of new slave states would be carved out of the former Mexican territories and thus demanded [[UsefulNotes/TheOtherRainforest the Oregon country]] to make up for it. Arguments over which of the new territories would enter the Union as slave states and which would enter as free states were a major part of the growing North/South divide that led to [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanCivilWar the Civil War]], as was the idea, lobbied hard for by slaveholders, that the USA should expand southwards into Latin America and the Caribbean (generally because those nations would add thousands of extra slaveholding electors to the Union).

Interestingly, Manifest Destiny inspired an imitative movement in Germany. Where Manifest Destiny held that English-language culture was destined to expand to the west, ''Drang nach Osten'' ('Eastward Drive') held that German civilization would have to do the same toward its east, if it were to be in any position to contest the English-speakers for leadership of the European peoples in the struggle against the world's lesser races, and the Asiatic hordes in particular. The German government attempted to realize this homegrown version of Manifest Destiny [[UsefulNotes/TheHolocaust in the period 1939-45]].

Interestingly, Manifest Destiny inspired an imitative movement in Germanic culture. Although German expansion into Eastern Europe had been picking up steam since the era of the Teutonic Order, the works of German writers such as Karl May which wrote novellas set on the American frontier during the period of Manifest Destiny inspired a resurgence of the ''Drang Nach Osten'' ('Eastward Drive') ideology. These ideas held that German civilisation would need to expand if it wished to maintain its "purity" in the face of the impending "subjugation" of Europe by the world's dark-skinned races in general and the Asiatic hordes (of China et. al.) in particular. The German government attempted to realize this homegrown version of Manifest Destiny [[UsefulNotes/TheHolocaust in the period 1939-45]].

Interestingly, Manifest Destiny inspired an imitative movement in Germanic culture. Where Manifest Destiny held that English-language culture was destined to cleanse and dominate and develop to the west, ''Drang Nach Osten'' ('Eastward Drive') held that German civilization would have to do the same to its east if it were to be in any position to contest the English-speakers for leadership of the European peoples in their crusades against the threat of subjugation and annihilation by the world's Mud races in general and the Asiatic Hordes (of China et. al.) in particular. The German government attempted to realize this native version of Manifest Destiny [[UsefulNotes/TheHolocaust in the period 1939-45]].

Interestingly, Manifest Destiny inspired an imitative movement in Germanic culture. Where Manifest Destiny held that English-language culture was destined to cleanse and dominate and develop to the west, ''Drang Nach Osten'' ('Eastward Drive') held that German civilization would have to do the same to its east if it were to be in any position to contest the English-speakers for leadership of the European peoples in their crusades against the threat of subjugation and annihilation by the world's Mud races in general and the Asiatic Hordes (of China et. al.) in particular. The German government attempted to realize this native version of Manifest Destiny [[UsefulNotes/TheHolocaust in the period 1939-43.]]

->''"What were they [the Amerindians] fighting for, in opposing the white man on this continent? For their wish to continue a primitive existence; for their “right” to keep part of the earth untouched – to keep everybody out so they could live like animals or cavemen. Any European who brought with him an element of civilization had the right to take over this continent, and it’s great that some of them did. The racist Indians today – those who condemn America – do not respect individual rights."''
-->-- '''Creator/AynRand''', Q&A session of her commencement address to the US Military Academy of 'West Point', 1974

->''"Damn any man who sympathizes with Indians! ... I have come to kill Indians, and believe it is right and honorable to use any means under God's heaven to kill Indians. ... Kill and scalp all, big and little; nits make lice."''
-->-- '''Col. John Milton Chivington''', 1864

Of course, two hundred years ago most of north America wasn't owned by the USA. By modern moral standards, which frown upon both venal motives and killing, the UsefulNotes/MexicanAmericanWar and the ethnic cleansings of the native tribes from [[InjunCountry their lands]] and onto [[TheRez reservations]] were somewhat repulsive. But even at the time, the idea was criticized by the [[BystanderSyndrome more isolationist]] parts of the country as imperialistic. Among supporters, the ''direction'' of expansion, [[CanadaEh north]] or {{south|OfTheBorder}}, was subject to fierce debate. Northerners and abolitionists were afraid that a sea of new slave states would be carved out of the former Mexican territories, and thus demanded [[UsefulNotes/TheOtherRainforest the Oregon country]] to make up for it. Arguments over which of the new territories would enter the Union as slave states and which would enter as free states were a major part of the growing North/South divide that led to [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanCivilWar the Civil War]], as was the idea, lobbied hard for by slaveholders, that the USA should expand southwards into Latin America and the Caribbean (generally because those nations would add thousands of extra slaveholding electors to the Union).

Interestingly, ManifestDestiny inspired an imitative movement in Germanic culture. Where Manifest Destiny held that English-language culture was destined to cleanse and dominate and develop to the west, ''Drang Nach Osten'' ('Eastward Drive') held that German civilisation would have to do the same to its east if it were to be in any position to contest the English-speakers for leadership of the European peoples in their crusades against the threat of subjugation and annihilation by the world's Mud races in general and the Asiatic Hordes (of China et. al.) in particular. The German government attempted to realise this native version of ManifestDestiny [[UsefulNotes/TheHolocaust in the period 1939-43.]]

Manifest Destiny was a belief system and movement in the 1800s and 1900s which held that the United States of America (USA) was fated to extend from the eastern coast of North America to the western, and perhaps to encompass the entirety of North (and perhaps South) America - and even beyond (see, for example, its subsequent colonisation of overseas territories, such as the UsefulNotes/{{Philippines}}, UsefulNotes/PuertoRico, UsefulNotes/{{Guam}}, etc.). Of course, most of the country's citizens were Christian at the time and so to them the theory of Manifest Destiny held that not only was it fated that the USA stretch from coast to coast, it was considered [[MissionFromGod only right and good by God himself]]. Accordingly, [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans any amount and type of killing and general barbarity was justified in service of this goal]]. Manifest Destiny was used to justify several aggressive wars of conquest, the suppression of several rebellions, and a few ethnic cleansings (of natives). Do note that while these ethnic cleansings were ''implicitly'' genocidal, as their conditions were somewhat lethal and the consequences of non-compliance could be very much so, their purpose ''was not'' to cleanse North America of such inferior races. Rather, it was trusted that such races would naturally wither away into nothingness, or at least into irrelevance as they were out-bred by superior ones and mired in poverty.

Manifest Destiny was a belief system and movement in the 1800s and 1900s which held that the United States of America (USA) was fated to extend from the eastern coast of North America to the western, and perhaps to encompass the entirety of North (and perhaps South) America - and even beyond (see, for example, its subsequent colonisation of overseas territories, such as the UsefulNotes/{{Philippines}}, UsefulNotes/{{PuertoRico}}, UsefulNotes/{{Guam}}, etc.). Of course, most of the country's citizens were Christian at the time and so to them the theory of Manifest Destiny held that not only was it fated that the USA stretch from coast to coast, it was considered [[MissionFromGod only right and good by God himself]]. Accordingly, [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans any amount and type of killing and general barbarity was justified in service of this goal]]. Manifest Destiny was used to justify several aggressive wars of conquest, the suppression of several rebellions, and a few ethnic cleansings (of natives). Do note that while these ethnic cleansings were ''implicitly'' genocidal, as their conditions were somewhat lethal and the consequences of non-compliance could be very much so, their purpose ''was not'' to cleanse North America of such inferior races. Rather, it was trusted that such races would naturally wither away into nothingness, or at least into irrelevance as they were out-bred by superior ones and mired in poverty.

Manifest Destiny was a belief system and movement in the 1800s and 1900s which held that the United States of America (USA) was fated to extend from the eastern coast of North America to the western, and perhaps to encompass the entirety of North (and perhaps South) America - and perhaps, beyond. Of course, most of the country's citizens were Christian at the time and so to them the theory of Manifest Destiny held that not only was it fated that the USA stretch from coast to coast, it was considered [[MissionFromGod only right and good by God himself]]. Accordingly, [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans any amount and type of killing and general barbarity was justified in service of this goal]]. Manifest Destiny was used to justify several aggressive wars of conquest, the suppression of several rebellions, and a few ethnic cleansings (of natives). Do note that while these ethnic cleansings were ''implicitly'' genocidal, as their conditions were somewhat lethal and the consequences of non-compliance could be very much so, their purpose ''was not'' to cleanse North America of such inferior races. Rather, it was trusted that such races would naturally wither away into nothingness, or at least into irrelevance as they were out-bred by superior ones and mired in poverty.

Of course, two hundred years ago most of north America wasn't owned by the USA. By modern moral standards, which frown upon both venal motives and killing, the UsefulNotes/MexicanAmericanWar and the ethnic cleansings of the native tribes from [[InjunCountry their lands]] and onto [[TheRez reservations]] were somewhat repulsive. But even at the time, the idea was criticized by the [[BystanderSyndrome more isolationist]] parts of the country as imperialistic. Among supporters, the ''direction'' of expansion, [[CanadaEh north]] or {{south|OfTheBorder}}, was subject to fierce debate. Northerners and abolitionists were afraid that a sea of new slave states would be carved out of the former Mexican territories, and thus demanded [[TheOtherRainforest the Oregon country]] to make up for it. Arguments over which of the new territories would enter the Union as slave states and which would enter as free states were a major part of the growing North/South divide that led to [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanCivilWar the Civil War]], as was the idea, lobbied hard for by slaveholders, that the USA should expand southwards into Latin America and the Caribbean (generally because those nations would add thousands of extra slaveholding electors to the Union).

Manifest Destiny was a theory and a movement in the 1800s and 1900s in America. It can be summed up as the idea that the United States of America was fated to extend from the eastern coast of North America to the western and perhaps to encompass the entirety of North America. Of course, most of the country's citizens were Christian at the time and so to them the theory of Manifest Destiny held that not only was it fate that America stretch from coast to coast, it was considered [[MissionFromGod only right and good by God himself]]. Accordingly, [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans any amount and type of killing and general barbarity was justified in service of this goal]]. Manifest Destiny was used to justify several aggressive wars of conquest, the suppression of several rebellions, and a few ethnic cleansings (of natives). Do note that while these ethnic cleansings were ''implicitly'' genocidal, as their conditions were somewhat lethal and the consequences of non-compliance could be very much so, their purpose ''was not'' to cleanse North America of such inferior races. Rather, it was trusted that such races would naturally wither away into nothingness, or at least into irrelevance as they were out-bred by superior ones and mired in poverty.

->"What were they [the Amerindians] fighting for, in opposing the white man on this continent? For their wish to continue a primitive existence; for their “right” to keep part of the earth untouched – to keep everybody out so they could live like animals or cavemen. Any European who brought with him an element of civilization had the right to take over this continent, and it’s great that some of them did. The racist Indians today – those who condemn America – do not respect individual rights."

— '''Col. John Milton Chivington'''

Manifest Destiny was a theory and a movement in the 1800s and 1900s in America. It can be summed up as the idea that the United States of America was fated to extend from the eastern coast of North America to the western and perhaps to encompass the entirety of North America. Of course, most of the country's citizens were Christian at the time and so to them the theory of Manifest Destiny held that not only was it fate that America stretch from coast to coast, it was considered [[MissionFromGod only right and good by God himself]]. Accordingly, [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans any amount and type of killing and general barbarity was justified in service of this goal]]. UsefulNotes/ManifestDestiny was used to justify several aggressive wars of conquest, the suppression of several rebellions, and a few ethnic cleansings (of natives). Do note that while these ethnic cleansings were ''implicitly'' genocidal, as their conditions were somewhat lethal and the consequences of non-compliance could be very much so, their purpose ''was not'' to cleanse North America of such inferior races. Rather, it was trusted that such races would naturally wither away into nothingness, or at least into irrelevance as they were out-bred by superior ones and mired in poverty.

Though it sounded like a good idea at a time, the fact of the matter is that most of America way back when wasn't owned by the United States. America acquired it through various means, some of which have drawn criticism from later generations, such as [[UsefulNotes/MexicanAmericanWar the conquest of two thirds of Mexico]] and the ignoble expulsion of the native tribes from [[InjunCountry their lands]] and onto [[TheRez reservations]]. Even at the time, the idea was criticized by the [[BystanderSyndrome more isolationist]] parts of the country as imperialistic. Among supporters, the ''direction'' of expansion, [[CanadaEh north]] or {{south|OfTheBorder}}, was subject to fierce debate. Northerners and abolitionists were afraid that a sea of new slave states would be carved out of the former Mexican territories, and thus demanded [[TheOtherRainforest the Oregon country]] to make up for it. Arguments over which of the new territories would enter the Union as slave states and which would enter as free states were a major part of the growing North/South divide that led to [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanCivilWar the Civil War]], as was the idea, lobbied hard for by slaveholders, that the USA should expand southwards into Latin America and the Caribbean (generally because those nations would add thousands of extra slaveholding electors to the Union).

Manifest Destiny was a theory and a movement in the 1800s and 1900s in America. It can be summed up as the idea that the United States of America was fated to extend from one coast to another, eventually to encompass the entirety of North America, an idea that helped fuel westward expansion. This is the secular version. A more complete story accounts for the fact that most of America was Christian at the time, and the theory of Manifest Destiny held that not only was it fate that America stretch from coast to coast, it was considered [[MissionFromGod only right and good by God himself]] and [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans any means necessary were to be used to make it so]]. They were.

Though it sounded like a good idea at a time, the fact of the matter is that most of America way back when wasn't owned by the United States. America acquired it through various means, some of which have drawn criticism from later generations, such as [[UsefulNotes/MexicanAmericanWar the conquest of two thirds of Mexico]] and the ignoble expulsion of the native tribes from [[InjunCountry their lands]] and onto [[TheRez reservations]]. Even at the time, the idea was criticized by the [[BystanderSyndrome more isolationist]] parts of the country as imperialistic. Among supporters, the ''direction'' of expansion, [[CanadaEh north]] or {{south|OfTheBorder}}, was subject to fierce debate. Northerners and abolitionists were afraid that a sea of new slave states would be carved out of the former Mexican territories, and thus demanded [[TheOtherRainforest the Oregon country]] to make up for it. Arguments over which of the new territories would enter the Union as slave states and which would enter as free states were a major part of the growing North/South divide that led to [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanCivilWar the Civil War]], as was the idea, lobbied hard for by slaveholders, that the USA should expand southwards into Latin America and the Carribean (generally because those nations would add thousands of extra slaveholding electors to the Union).

Manifest Destiny was a theory and a movement in the 1800s and 1900s in America. It can be summed up as the idea that the United States of America was fated to extend from one coast to another, eventually to encompass the entirety of North America, an idea that helped fuel westward expansion. This is the secular version. A more complete story accounts for the fact that most of America was Christian at the time, and the theory of ManifestDestiny held that not only was it fate that America stretch from coast to coast, it was considered [[MissionFromGod only right and good by God himself]] and [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans any means necessary were to be used to make it so]]. They were.