Manifest Destiny: Discrimination In The United States

Even after the Indian’s had been removed from their land and displaced from their homes, the distasteful treatment of Indians prevailed, and even became worse. The California “Indian Problem” was a dark time in history, where California did not view “Indians as citizens with civil rights, nor did it treat Indians as sovereign people” (Olson-Raymer, “Whose Manifest Destiny...”). As more settlers came into California in search of gold, the Indians were soon a source of controversy. Indian slavery was allowed, and militias were given the power to decimate Indian populations. California’s Act for the Government and Protection of Indians did little to actually protect Indians, instead actually promoting oppression (Olson-Raymer,“Whose Manifest Destiny...
Dr. Gayle Olson-Raymer, in another article about Manifest Destiny titled Political, Economic, and Social Consequences of Manifest Destiny, wrote about the effects - forests were cleared for wood as fuel, agriculture, and construction. Rivers were redirected for canals, dams, farms, and mills. McCoy states, “...Manifest Destiny is not just a justification for assimilating, displacing, and/or eradicating people and claiming land, it also makes ‘exploitation of the natural environment into a duty.” Pollution began to fog the air as steam power began to rise, coal clogging up the sky. One may even argue that we could trace back a large percent of our current environmental distress to Manifest
Examining the religious, economic, nationalistic, and racial justifications provide a basis of understanding the ideals behind Manifest Destiny, but in no way excuse the acts of cruelty against the indigenous peoples. This idea changed the world, and covers more than just westward expansion - it affected people, society, and the environment. It changed how people thought and divided themselves, and the basis of authority behind it - the basis that gave people an idea of radical empowerment - is bizarre. It is a name given to the movement of Americans to take over the continent, in an effort to gain a small amount of power as a new nation in a large world of power struggle. It may have benefited the English crusaders in North America, but it decimated populations and created turmoil in the land. However noble its intentions may have been deemed, its execution was undignified and inexcusable. It is undeniable, though, that without it the United States of America would not be what it is today. It would not stretch from the East coast to the West, and be home to a diverse range of people. As long as people continue to learn about the crude execution of Manifest Destiny, its treacherous acts should not be repeated. Manifest Destiny was the embodiment of the American ideal of opportunity - for salvation, wealth,