Manifest Destiny Essay
Manifest Destiny was the belief that Americans had the God-given right to the land they wanted. Pride and nationalism spread, along with the idea that white settlers could expand their “empire of liberty”. Americans were belligerent in their pursuit of taking land, where inhabitants were either killed off or forcefully moved, which is significant because it shows that Manifest destiny was not a benevolent movement. As the population in America grew, so did their desire to move farther west with their families. Farmers that settled in new territories brought the plantation system with them. Cotton was starting to become more popular, and the cotton gin had been invented, doubling the speed of production, but at a cost. Slave labor became more
…show more content…
In 1801, Jackson offered the Native Americans a choice, either become part of the white society or leave their land. Either way, they would lose their tribal rights. William Henry Harrison would use tactics such as threats, bribery, and trickery to get Indians off their land. By 1807, United States had extracted treaty rights to Easter Michigan, southern Indiana, and most of Illinois, against the tribal leader’s wishes. On November 7th, 1811, Harrison attacked the natives with 1,000 solders, driving them out of Prophetstown and burned it down. 2 years later on October 5th, Harrison killed Tecumseh, the Native Americans’ chief and spiritual leader who was their hope for fighting together to push back American forces. On 1814, Jackson and his men slaughtered a tribe of Native Americans, including woman and children. The tribe had ceded their land and retreated west. During the years of 1831 and 1832, the Black Hawk war raged on and was known for its viciousness. White forces attacked the natives, even when they attempted to surrender, and slaughtered them. 1830-1838, thousands of American Indians were forcefully pushed off their lands, many perishing before they reached their destination. By the mid-1840s, white settlers outnumbered the natives in Oregon, as well as devastated the population because of a measles epidemic. White Americans had near eradicated the Native American population for the purpose of expansion and adding new territories, ultimately destroying the livelihoods of the
In 1801, Jackson offered the Native Americans a choice, either become part of the white society or leave their land. Either way, they would lose their tribal rights. William Henry Harrison would use tactics such as threats, bribery, and trickery to get Indians off their land. By 1807, United States had extracted treaty rights to Easter Michigan, southern Indiana, and most of Illinois, against the tribal leader’s wishes. On November 7th, 1811, Harrison attacked the natives with 1,000 solders, driving them out of Prophetstown and burned it down. 2 years later on October 5th, Harrison killed Tecumseh, the Native Americans’ chief and spiritual leader who was their hope for fighting together to push back American forces. On 1814, Jackson and his men slaughtered a tribe of Native Americans, including woman and children. The tribe had ceded their land and retreated west. During the years of 1831 and 1832, the Black Hawk war raged on and was known for its viciousness. White forces attacked the natives, even when they attempted to surrender, and slaughtered them. 1830-1838, thousands of American Indians were forcefully pushed off their lands, many perishing before they reached their destination. By the mid-1840s, white settlers outnumbered the natives in Oregon, as well as devastated the population because of a measles epidemic. White Americans had near eradicated the Native American population for the purpose of expansion and adding new territories, ultimately destroying the livelihoods of the