Manifest Destiny
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The entire concept of Manifest Destiny was created by the New York journalist John. L. O Sullivan. It meant that Americas fate was to possess or expand across the entire North America; it was undeniable and just waiting to happen. This is the point where many people started traveling west, for many purposes. It is true that America did acquire much land from expanding, but at what cost did we obtain it? I believe that America did not have the proper incentives while fulfilling its “destiny” and its voracious citizens and leaders took advantage of non Americans.
In 1850, Native Americans inhabited areas from Kansas to some parts of Oregon, and almost all the land between. Once the Americans were swayed with the philosophy of Manifest Destiny, they rushed to the West seeking land, money, or salvation. Land issues arose when the Americans and Indians met. Whether it was solved with conflict or compromise, it still ended up in hostility. Battles such as The Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 had no sign of negotiation at all, just warfare. When treaties were “passed”, or forced, they would be insignificant because it always tended to be one-sided by the Americans, and it was common for them to not uphold the treaty. After enraging the Indians, more fights would break out. Americans showed no mercy for the Natives at all. They force Indians to give away land and then restrict them into small reservations, where they would have to give up all their customs and traditions and follow the lifestyle of Americans. When is it just to prey on passive, weaker races, and take complete advantage of them? The Americans killed countless Indians and even killed a majority of women and children, all because we could not resist the lust for land and money.
On March 2, 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico. Texas then voted to be annexed, or added to the United States of America. The Southerners and Democrats supported it, hoping to get more slave states to join the Union. Northerners and Whigs went against it. Both sides had to take consideration into Mexicos threat. They said that annexing Texas would mean that America is willing to go to war with Mexico. President John Tyler approved of the treaty to annex Texas in 1844, but two months later, the Senate destroyed it. When James K. Polk became president, he claimed that it was in American interest to acquire more land. In 1845, Texas became the 28th state to