Manifest+Destiny


 * Manifest Destiny** was a term used in the 1840s to justify the United States' westward expansion into such areas as [|Texas], [|Oregon], and [|California]. There was a widely held underlying belief that Americans, the "chosen people," had a divinely inspired mission to spread the fruits of their democracy to the less fortunate (usually meaning Native Americans and other non-Europeans). It was popularized by the image of "America" floating over the plains. [[image:manifestdestiny.jpg align="right"]]

The Homestead Act
In 1841 the government of America passed an act that allowed people to purchase 160 acres of Plains land for a very small price. A further act passed in 1862 divided 2.5 million acres of Plains land into sections or homesteads of 160 acres. People could now claim 160 acres of land. The only requirement on their part was that they paid a small administration charge and built a house and lived on the land for at least 5 years.

John O'Sullivan (1813-1895) was the creator of this term. During the westward expansion (1845), John wrote articles using the term "Manifest Destiny" in each article. The articles were included in the "__Democratic Reader."__ John L. O'Sullivan invented this term by combining the word Manifest, meaning certain to happen, and Destiny meaning a goal that is going to happen. The goal in this case we see obviously was the westward expansion of North America and it was certain to be North America's territory. Many viewers/critics saw this as North //America// stealing land rather then gaining land. In other words also, some thought it was barbaric. John later had many achievements, fame and fortune after __his__ Manifest Destiny. Right: //American Proggress//.
 * John L. O'Sullivan**

Left: John L. O'Sullivan media type="youtube" key="7xOetka6qrM" width="425" height="350" This video, explains the truth about it all.

To sum up the video above, for some of it's content isn't appropriate, we see that Western North American land was owned by Mexico at the time, but during the Manifest Destiny, Mexico's land was annexed from them in the 1840's. Taken away, violently? Yes. As in the video it was "destined" that it became North America's territory and by the will and power of God, by goodness, it became North American land. So really, almost half of America is owned by Mexico, but we "democraticly" took it away from them. And part of the Democracy involved was again the Homestead act. See above under T**he Homestead Act.** media type="youtube" key="u06BRQ265eg" width="425" height="350" Another great Summary of Manifest Destiny, Expansion of the U.S.