Manifest Destiny

John Gast's "American Progress"
(ca. 1872)








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Fanny Palmer's "Across the Continent" (1868)










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Origins of the Idea

• John O'Sullivan, Editor of United States Magazine and Democratic Review, wrote the article "Annexation" in 1845
• It is "the fulfillment of our MANIFEST DESTINY to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions."

Origins of the Idea

• From Thomas Paine's Common Sense: "We have it in our power to begin the world over again. A situation, similar to the present, hath not happened since the days of Noah until now. The birthday of a new world is at hand…."

ORIGINS OF THE IDEA

• Many believed that American democracy would spread with little effort from the government
• Pioneers would take their beliefs with them wherever they went, and other countries in the world would seek to emulate American ideal.

Themes of the Expansionist Movement

• The virtue of American people and her institutions (a new, better society than the Old World)
• The mission to spread these ideals and make over the world in the image of this idealized United States
• The destiny under God to fulfill these visions

Historical Timeline

• 1803 - Louisiana Purchase
• 1818 - Treaty of 1818 (US/Canada border extended)
• 1819 - Purchase of Florida
• 1823 - Monroe Doctrine

Historical Timeline

• 1845 - Texas Annexation
• 1846 - Oregon Treaty
• 1846 - Mexican-American War
• 1848 - Mexican cession of New Mexico and California

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