Purpose Get in groups of 2-3 I will assign you one of the following topics: Manifest Destiny Texas War of Independence The Alamo The Oregon Trail The Mexican-American War California Gold Rush The Missouri Compromise Today, you need to research your topic and try to find a specific part of it to complete a project on. You will be creating an informational poster!

Due Today Names of group members A short description (in your own words) of what your topic is/about (4-5 sentences) What you want to focus on in your topic Any other information you might want to focus on!

Manifest Destiny Using a dictionary or your phone/device look up the following definitions and write them in your composition book. Manifest- Destiny-

Describe the term Manifest Destiny and how Americans justified their expansion.

What is (was) Manifest Destiny?

In the late 1700s and 1800s, Americans everywhere shared a common belief called “Manifest Destiny.” First – what is a “destiny”? What does it mean to be “destined” to do something? Destiny - something that is to happen (or has happened) to a particular person or thing

American’s believed they were “destined” to do something. But what? Second – what does “manifest” mean? If something is “manifest” it means it is clear or obvious to the eye. Manifest means “it’s a no-brainer.”

So, American’s believed that they were “destined” to do something – and that whatever that something was was a “no brainer.” They believed it was obvious, that everyone should know about it! So --- what was it?

Manifest Destiny – the belief that the United States had a “God-given” right to expand across the entire continent. The expansion of the U.S. was both justified due to their superior culture and inevitable. It was clear. It was obvious. It was destined to happen.

Manifest Destiny Possible Positive Consequences Possible Negative Consequences

The United States in 1872

The United States in 1850

The United States in 1816

Painted by John Melish in 1816 Why did he draw this as he did? He could have just drawn the size of the United States as the time – instead he draw the entire continent Why did he choose to do this?

In 1816, author and writer John Melish created map of the United States. Here is what he said regarding the map he made: “Part of this territory unquestionably belongs to the United States. To present a picture of it was desirable in every point of view. The map so constructed, shows at a glance the whole extent of the United States territory from sea to sea; and in tracing the probable expansion of the human race from east to west, the mind finds an agreeable resting place on its western limits. The view is complete, and leaves nothing to be wished for. It also adds to the beauty and symmetry of the map; which will, it is confidently believed, be found one of the most useful and ornamental works ever executed in this country.” A GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE UNITED STATES, WITH THE CONTIGUOUS BRITISH AND SPANISH POSSESSIONS, 1816

Questioning the Document: 1.) Who is John Melish? 2.) John Melish’s map shows much more than the United States. Why do you think this is? 3.) How does this viewpoint represent Manifest Destiny?

TN Ready Review Questions