Manifest Destiny: The Justification for an Empire

Manifest Destiny: The Justification for an Empire

Throughout history, Americans have regarded their country as the greatest nation in the world. This self-proclaimed greatness extends from before the time the United States declared its independence through to today. Many documents from the Declaration of Independence to the Monroe Doctrine to documented sermons clearly show the roots of the country's chosen and powerful attitude. This ideology provided reasoning for many important decisions such as the annexation of states like Texas and Oregon as well as participation in World War II. Americans apply the principles of Manifest Destiny throughout history and accept them as the mission to improve and democratize the world. It is the United States of America's dedication to their concept of being a "city on a hill", which make it the nation it is today.

Manifest Destiny is the idea that America was a "chosen" country and given a divine mission from God to expand westward as well as democratize other nations. John L. O'Sullivan coined the term "Manifest Destiny" in 1839. O'Sullivan wrote several articles for The Democratic Review during the 1840s justifying Westward Expansion, but the first use of the term was in an article titled "The Great Nation of Futurity." In the article, he explains Manifest Destiny as exploration and expansion with God's direction and approval. He states that the United States is destined to, in its future, show to humanity how God wishes things to be. America must uphold its morals and keep its dignity; the rest of the world should then follow this ordained nation's example. O'Sullivan may be "The Father of Manifest Destiny," but he was not the first to profess the belief.

It is obvious the ideas of Manifest Destiny date back to when the settlement of America began. John Winthrop's sermon, "A Model of Christian Charity," given in 1630, offers one early example of this philosophy. Winthrop was a puritan reverend and believed that God wanted to use America as a paragon for the rest of the world to imitate. "For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world." The sermon continues promising a provision of land if the people love God and do as he commands. In the mid 1800s, America takes this philosophy further from a religious context and gives justification for annexations to the United States. However, even before Manifest Destiny influenced the important decisions made concerning Westward Expansion, the belief drove possibly the most significant document in US history: the Declaration of Independence.

In the first paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, the concept of Manifest Destiny is professed. The document states, "Nature's God entitles them [the US]... they should declare the causes which impel them to separation." This proves the nations thought of being that city on a hill, chosen by God to set a better example for all nations. The entire Declaration does nothing but display the soon to be nation's ideal qualities contrasted with the corruption of Europe. Jefferson again addresses Destiny in the final sentences: "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." The fathers of the nation did not doubt God's ordinance and protection of this country. They believed that, being the chosen ones, they had the right and duty to separate from Great Britain to become a model nation. Being a model nation also meant a need for expansion; not only was America great enough to use Great Britain's land as their own independent nation, but also to take and use more effectively the lands of other nations.

In the early 1800s, the Monroe Doctrine gave the rules for European occupation in the Western Hemisphere. It was the nation's idea of Manifest Destiny that gave the United States the right to make these protective guidelines rather than England; America was "chosen." The Monroe Doctrine essentially documented the US foreign policy of the day. It stated, "We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and those powers to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety." If a European nation occupied any more of the land in the Western Hemisphere, they threatened the nation's safety and divine right to that land. Just as Winthrop's sermon proclaimed, the United States assumed the land on their continent was entitled to them; it was the provision that God promised for setting an example for other nations. The Monroe Doctrine continues to say that the United States of America does not take on the responsibility to make other nations an example like themselves, and that they will not take what is not theirs, unless it becomes necessary. The final remarks of the Monroe Doctrine state all European governments pose a threat to the government of America because they are not the same model of perfection. It also mentions the country's southern neighbor, Mexico, is not blessed enough to adopt the government of the United States unless overtaken. That is exactly what happens too. As a result of the Mexican-American war, the United States takes land from their southern neighbors to improve it as God asked.

In the 1840s, America made several important additions to the country including the annexations of Texas, New Mexico, California, and Oregon. All of these were directly justified by the nation's Manifest Destiny. While the claims for the right to each territory varied, the central reasoning remained constant: the United States was ordained with the right to settle and improve that land. John Wentworth, an Illinois congressman said, "God of Heaven, when he crowned the American arms with success [in the revolutionary war], designed that the original states should be the only abode of liberty on earth. On the contrary, designed them as the center from which civilization, religion, and liberty should radiate and radiate until the whole continent shall bask in their blessing. " It was the nation's belief that neighboring territories, such as Mexico, would want to apply for annexation into the great Union. When that was not the case, the principles of Manifest Destiny expanded; the United States of America has not fulfilled its destiny if there is still land to