Download Manifest Destiny

Bell Work Day 4
 Define American exceptionalism. Give one cultural
example from modern America.
Manifest Destiny
Big Questions
 How did America justify westward expansion?
American Exceptionalism
 Definition: the idea that the United States is
qualitatively different from other nations.
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Unique American ideology
Liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, republicanism
Notion of superiority.
Write the definition in your own words.
 Draw a picture that matches the definition.
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U.S.-1812
Manifest Destiny
 Divine obligation
 Belief in American cultural and racial superiority
 Economic motivations
 Start of the idea of American Imperialism
 Imperialism: the policy of extending a nation’s influence
through diplomatic, economic, or military force.
Definition-Manifest Destiny
 What do you think John O’Sullivan meant by the
following quote?
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"Our manifest destiny is to overspread the continent
allotted by Providence for the free development of our
yearly multiplying millions.”
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Manifest Destiny: write your own definition in your notes
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Manifest Destiny
American Progress (1872)
 Write a 2 -3 sentence summary of the mindset
outlined in this painting.
Reading
 “Manifest Destiny”-John O’Sullivan
 Read and annotate:
 Highlight-ideas and concepts that are also reflected in the
Monroe Doctrine
 Highlight-statements about American exceptionalism.
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Work on your own-then share with your groups.
Slavery Question
 Early 19th C-Nation Split
 Controversy over Missouri
 Missouri Compromise (1820)
U.S.-1820
Cheap Land
 Seemingly endless amount of sparsely populated
land
 Squatters
 Preemption Act of 1830: up to 160 acres at
$1.25/acre
Predict
 How will squatters and federal land policy cause
problems between white settlers, Native Americans,
and Mexicans living in western lands?
Discussion
 Why did many Americans believe it was important to
expand territory?
 Do you think it was right for settlers on the frontier
to expect to receive if not free, inexpensive land?