Manifest Destiny and Native American Treatment

Manifest Destiny and its Impact

• Manifest Destiny, the belief that the US was divinely ordained to expand across the continent, fueled westward expansion and a sense of American superiority.
• This expansion resulted in forced relocation and loss of land for Indigenous populations, cultural destruction, armed conflict, and displacement to reservations.
• The US acquired vast territories through purchases and wars (e.g., Louisiana Purchase, Mexican-American War), leading to rapid economic growth and settlement.
• New communities and societal structures were established, but clashes between diverse cultural groups (Hispanic, Native American, Black, and White) occurred.
• This period of expansion led to changes in US politics and ideology.

Treatment of Native Americans

• Early treaties promising land and resources were often disregarded.
• The Indian Removal Act (1830) legalized forced relocation of Native Americans, causing events like the Trail of Tears, with significant loss of life.
• Native American resistance movements were suppressed through military campaigns.
• By the early 20th century, most Native American tribes were confined to reservations.

Treatment of African Americans

• Slavery existed in the US from its founding.
• Northern states increasingly opposed slavery, while southern states depended on it.
• The Civil War abolished slavery via the 13th Amendment.
• Racism and discrimination continued despite the abolishment, including obstacles to voting rights (e.g., discriminatory tests).
• The Civil Rights Movement addressed these issues, culminating in legislation like the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act in the 1960s.
• Segregation, the separation of Black people in daily life, was a significant aspect of this period.

American Civil War

• Fought between the North (Union) and South (Confederacy) from 1861-1865.
• The war stemmed from issues including slavery and states' rights.
• The Civil War resulted in the abolishment of slavery and shifted federal power.

US Foreign Policy

• Isolationism: A policy of avoiding involvement in global affairs, a dominant approach prior to WWI.
• Interventionism: A policy embracing active involvement in global affairs, adopted as the US grew as a world power during and after major conflicts.

American Ideologies

• Protestant Ethic: The belief that hard work, discipline, and frugality are moral virtues, influential in shaping American culture.
• Thesis of Exceptionalism: The idea of the US as having a unique historical role as a bastion of democracy and liberty, shaping domestic and foreign policy.
• Monroe Doctrine (1823): A declaration warning European powers against interfering in the Western Hemisphere, establishing a US region-wide leadership position.

Explore the complex history of Manifest Destiny and its impact on Native American populations. This quiz delves into the beliefs driving westward expansion, the resulting conflicts, and the consequences of treaties and policies like the Indian Removal Act. Test your knowledge on the socio-political changes during this significant period in American history.