Manifest Destiny

What is destiny?

The term "manifest destiny" was first used by journalist John O'Sullivan in an article supporting the annexation(adding) of Texas in the New York Democratic Review in 1845. 

O’Sullivan wrote… “The time has come for everyone to stop treating Texas as an alien, and to stop thwarting our policy and hampering our power, limiting our greatness and checking the fulfillment of our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.” Vocabulary Thwarting: opposing Hampering: slowing down Checking – interfering in Allotted: given Providence: God

What is Manifest Destiny? In simple terms, Manifest Destiny was the idea that Americans were destined, by God, to govern the North American continent.

The next image was painted in 1872 by American artist John Gast – after the Mexican War, Texas Annexation, the discovery of gold in California and the Civil War.

American Progress – John Gast, 1872

In what ways does the painting reflect O’Sullivan’s vision of Manifest Destiny?

The next map was painted by John Melish in 1816 – BEFORE the annexation (adding) of Texas and the Mexican/American War and gold being discovered in California.

Map of the United States, 1816

How does this map reflect the idea of Manifest Destiny, an idea that will not even be given a name for 30 more years?

This map combined the works of explorers like Lewis & Clark, Pike, and others. Melish's map, first issued in 1816, was the first large scale map to show the area of the present United States from coast to coast.

Melish's map provided most Americans with their first clear- sighted view of the continental landmass of which the United States was a part.

Thomas Jefferson, said of Melish’s map that it provides a "luminous view of the comparative possessions of different powers in our America." What ONE WORD in this comment implies Manifest Destiny?

The Melish map became the official map used in many important treaties between the United States and Spain, Mexico, and the Republic of Texas. Specifically, the United States-Mexico boundary was laid out on a copy of the map according to the Adams-Onis Treaty signed in February 22, 1819.