A core component of any study of 19th century American history focuses on land: how America acquired it, how America solidified its borders, and how land--and migration--are reflections of both the American Dream and the impending destruction of the Native American way of life. In today's political climate, the addition of casinos to many reservations has become a main source of income for the tribes on government-assigned reservations. Considering the relationship between the voters and the tribes (with respect to the casinos) and/or the realities of American involvement in countries worldwide, do you think this notion of Manifest Destiny exists today? In what way? Why or why not?
I believe that some aspects of manifest destiny exist today. However, I don't think that the notion of manifest destiny is actively practiced. Native Americans were kicked out of their land, slaughtered, and taken advantage of. Reservations were granted to the Native Americans so that they are not mistreated. Some non Native Americans believe that they themselves are entitled to this land. But there are laws that prohibits the seizing of the Indian reservations. Therefore, I believe that the thought of manifest destiny exists today but that the notion is not actively pursued.
ReplyDeleteI believe the notion of manifest destiny exists but only under certain parameters. Migration is allowed in America but only if you pass certain tests and fall into certain requirements. For white males the idea of manifest destiny is definitely practiced but say for Mexicans the idea of manifest destiny is a bit harder to put into affect. Also most land in America and other countries is already claimed land you cant just start clearing a forrest and build a town, theres no room for that anymore so the idea of being able to completely manifest your own destiny wherever and whenever you want is a bit harder to accomplish nowadays.
ReplyDelete-Montana Kent
Manifest Destiny can be found throughout today's American culture, but not in the same way as perceived during the 19th century. America's expansion has really reached its limit, from reaching coast to coast, and most likely not acquiring new land. During the 19th century the manifest destiny attitude affected and progressed native American removal and the war with Mexico. The idea that native Americans were heathens and had to conform to American society prompted the creation of reservations because simply native Americans were 'in the way' of American expansion. Manifest destiny in the 21 century can be sometimes seen as strong American nationalism, or rather, U.S. cultural, religious, political, and social superiority. Manifest Destiny is still apart of American culture and 'the American dream' but it is shown in different ways.
ReplyDeleteI do think that Manifest destiny still exists in America today. We are often moving into new territories around the world and even though we don't claim those areas as our own, we have a powerful presence. For example we have military camps in countries such as Afghanistan, Australia, Germany, Japan and many more. I think America will continue to spread around the world and not only are we physically moving around but the mass media that is distributed by the US has certain influences on the rest of the world as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, because I believe that today there still exists Manifest destiny since the United States is expanding by helping other countries besides expanding their land. They do not want to be the enemy, so they help countries that are in need of something, that way when the US need something from them, they could also help them.
Delete-Isabella C. - Guatemala
Manifest destiny absolutely still exists today. Americans have developed a greedy personality because of past success with other situations. We tend to strive for more things, and in even some cases, for things that are unnecessary for us to have control over. America, however, is at its peak of expansion, since there isn't much land left for us to conquer. Because of our greed over land, native americans were pushed to isolated areas, even though they are the first occupants of the land. This is unfair because it displays America's arrogance about the ability to do whatever we want. So yes, manifest destiny still exists in society today but our greediness for it has been tamed.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree. US is still moving in some areas with the excuse to keep peace and avoid battles. For examples, their military forces are in Afghanistan even though people don't want them, causing even more disorder. They stay there only for personal interests, because of the soil and precious resources situated in that territory.
DeleteManifest Destiny was the belief that it was the destiny of the U.S. to expand its territory over the whole of North America, spreading its political, social, and economic ideas. In my opinion, Manifest Destiny still exists today with some aspects. It is clear that the idea of Manifest Destiny doesn't affect the Americans as much as it did in the 19th century being a source of motivation. However, America is still growing and expanding its territories more and more. I do believe that the U.S is trying to spread its type of government all over the world as well, thinking the system of government they have is the best and most efficient. Taking into consideration that the U.S is still expanding its territories and think they have the best system of government, is a proof that Manifest destiny still remains.
ReplyDeleteTuana --Turkey
Although not in the way it did, America still seeks after Manifest Destiny of sorts. It is evident that there is not much undiscovered land left in the world today, so trying to conquer any more land would be futile. However, the States, for example in the 60's with the race to space, although the idea of expanding America was not the focus, the same yearning to be the first, and most powerful nation is definitely still embedded in our country. And failing as we are, we are still today striving to have the best economy and government in the world. We also are trying to spread our learning styles, and influence on 3rd World Countries, although that is not as destructive as forcing natives from their home in the olden days, it still comes from the same idea. Manifest Destiny, the belief that you should spread and conquer as much as you can, is how we are motivated to stay intact with the rest of the world today.
ReplyDeleteMolly- Ut, USA
I believe Manifest Destiny was an excuse that the people whom were expanding towards the west used to make most people comfortable with the idea that, if Native Americans are being mistreated, at least it's Gods bidding. Nowadays is any country tries to excuse their expansions as "the Will of God", the general public is a lot more cynical and skeptical, so most likely there would be a huge outcry against it. So if there still are countries going and expanding their lands, they won't be referring to it as Gods Will, with the exception of ISIS calling their insurgencies holy, any other modern day government or country will not excuse their actions with a religious tagline.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Manifest Destiny, Americans were destined to move from one coast to another for social, political and religious reasons. During 1850’s many people believed in the Manifest Destiny because there were still a lot of land to conquer that people didn’t inhabited. (Except Indians but Indians were forced to move out. In other words according to Andrew Jackson, Indians offered to move out and were more than happy to leave their land for Americans.) The Manifest Destiny was really successful during 1850’s however; today I don’t believe that a notion of Manifest Destiny exists. First of all, due to the human greed almost all of the land is already conquered and it makes no sense to try to conquer the already taken land. Instead of using the Manifest Destiny, America simply “helps” to the other countries and kind of control them by “helping” them. Additionally I don’t believe that the concept of Manifest Destiny still exists today because I don’t think many people will believe in it since there are less religious people in today’s society.
ReplyDelete-Alara-
Turkey
Some aspects of manifest destiny still exist to this day.Native americans were pushed from their lands onto indian reservation sites. Although they are free to do what they want on their own land, they did not choose to live their unlike other citizens of the united states.The United States owns all of the land besides the indian reservation sites, thus giving native americans very little space to practice their culture.
ReplyDeleteAdam Osgood-France
Some kind Manisfest Destiny is still present and clear in the US. Americans and the government act worldwide like they have a saying and right to interfere in each and every one of the international affairs. The United States gets in between negotiations of problems unrelated to it just to get either money or teritorry. In their point of view, the United States has a saying in those matters as it is the richest and most powerful country in the world. That can be considered the modern Manifest Destiny, as one the definitions of such is "An irresistible destiny to accomplish this essential duty".
ReplyDeleteManifest Destiny definitely still exists today. It was invented in 1890s by the supporters of Republicans and it is the reason for US to involve with things happen outside of North America. After second world war, Americans became the world cop to show the world that United States is the strongest country in the world in economics, military, and even their amazing governmental system of democracy. Therefore, they tried to influence the rest of the world their beliefs of democracy, and only the American way of democracy can save the world. Then, they decided to involve the war in Middle East which made so many people hate America such as communists, socialists, and Muslims. It also proved that manifest destiny still exists because the Americans believe they are helping the keep the world peace and better.
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ReplyDeleteI do believe that Manifest Destiny happens now a days, Although I do not think it is always right. The united states has been a country that comes along the years helping other countries worldwide. But also, destroyed a lot of territories, The commercial amplitude of the American nation has come to a point were it has almost reached it's highest level, but sometimes it happens way to much. I believe that Manifest destiny ca be right until a certain point. If the other country agrees, and it is beneficial to them then it's fine, everybody wins. But by the time that the US stars forcing a commercial relationship in it's own profit then it's not right.
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