American History

» woorama - America's Greatest Export

The original use of the term "Manifest Destiny", first used publically in a New York newspaper editorial in the 1800's, revealed a desire "to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions." This was tied up with notions of "God's will", and imperial assertions of the "White Man's Burden" kind.

Mining And Genocide

Manifest Destiny ideology shaped both public attitudes and government policy, and was constantly updated to suit whatever economic opportunities were available on Native land. For example, the discovery of gold in Georgia led to a barrage of Manifest Destiny propaganda calling for removal of Native peoples from the area. So in 1830 the U.S. Congress passed the "Indian Removal Act", and thus began the dispossession of the Cherokee people. This was legitimised under the Treaty of New Echota, which was signed by President Andrew. The result of this act was the Trail of Tears where Native Americans walked from Georgia to Oklahoma under very harsh conditions. Over 4,000 lives were lost on that forced march.

Manifest Destiny Today

Nothing has changed. As I write this, Six Nations warriors in Ontario are blockading part of their land that has been sold to "Henco Industries Ltd", who are subdividing the land for "development", and the U.S. military...

Read more at Manifest Destiny in Suite 101.

-- posted by woorama