Primary Source Readings: Manifest Destiny Perspectives

Source 1: John L. O'Sullivan on Manifest Destiny (1845)

"[I]t is by the right of our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federated self-government entrusted to us. It is a right such as that of the tree to the space of air and earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth."

• Perspective: American expansion as a divinely ordained right and a natural process for the spread of liberty.
  
  
  
  

Source 2: Excerpt from a Mexican Perspective on the U.S.-Mexican War (1848)

"The American invasion of Mexico… had no other purpose than the conquest of our vast territory… The loss of our extensive territory has been a hard blow, and one that is still felt deeply. It was the result of the aggressive ambitions of a nation that claimed to be civilized and democratic, but acted with unbridled avarice and disregard for international law and human rights."

• Perspective: Mexican view of the U.S. expansion as an aggressive land grab, driven by greed and violating their sovereignty.
  
  
  
  

Source 3: Native American Perspective - Chief Seattle (Potawatomi) - Attributed Speech (1854)

"How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them?... Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people. The white man treats his mother, the earth, and his brother, the sky, as things to be bought, plundered, sold like sheep or bright beads. His appetite will devour the earth and leave behind only a desert."

• Perspective: Native American view emphasizing a spiritual connection to the land, contrasting with the European-American concept of land ownership and exploitation. Expresses concern for environmental destruction and loss of traditional ways of life.
  
  
  
  

Source 4: An Abolitionist's View on Texas Annexation (1845)

"The annexation of Texas, with its vast domain and large slave population, is a measure fraught with peril to the cause of human liberty. It is a scheme of the slaveholding interest, designed to extend and perpetuate slavery, and to give it undue power in the national councils. It is a blot upon the escutcheon of the republic, a betrayal of its most sacred principles, and a dangerous stride towards the ultimate triumph of despotism."

• Perspective: Abolitionist view linking westward expansion, specifically the annexation of Texas, to the expansion of slavery and a threat to American ideals of liberty.

Manifest Destiny: Whose Destiny? - Primary Source Analysis Worksheet

Directions: Read each primary source excerpt carefully. For each source, answer the questions below to analyze the different perspectives on Manifest Destiny.

Source 1: John L. O\ Sullivan on Manifest Destiny (1845)

1. What is O\ Sullivan arguing for in this excerpt?
   
   
   
2. What reasons does he give for this belief?
   
   
   
3. Who do you think he believes benefits from this "manifest destiny"?
   
   
   
   

Source 2: Excerpt from a Mexican Perspective on the U.S.-Mexican War (1848)

1. How does this author describe the American actions?
   
   
   
2. What is the main grievance or complaint expressed?
   
   
   
3. What impact does this source suggest Manifest Destiny had on Mexico?
   
   
   
   

Source 3: Native American Perspective - Chief Seattle (Potawatomi) - Attributed Speech (1854)

1. How does Chief Seattle describe the Native American relationship with the land?
   
   
   
2. How does this perspective contrast with the view presented by O\ Sullivan?
   
   
   
3. What future does Chief Seattle foresee if the "white man" continues his actions?
   
   
   
   

Source 4: An Abolitionist\s View on Texas Annexation (1845)

1. What is the abolitionist\s primary concern regarding the annexation of Texas?
   
   
   
2. How does this concern relate to the ideals of "human liberty" and the "republic"?
   
   
   
3. What does this source suggest about the internal conflicts within the U.S. regarding westward expansion?
   
   
   
   

Reflection Question:

Considering all four sources, how does examining multiple perspectives change your understanding of Manifest Destiny?

Manifest Destiny: Whose Destiny? - Primary Source Analysis Answer Key

Source 1: John L. O\ Sullivan on Manifest Destiny (1845)

1. What is O\ Sullivan arguing for in this excerpt?

   • O\ Sullivan is arguing for the right and destiny of the United States to expand across the entire North American continent.

2. What reasons does he give for this belief?

   • He believes it is a "manifest destiny" given by Providence (God) for the development of liberty and self-government. He compares it to a tree naturally expanding.

3. Who do you think he believes benefits from this "manifest destiny"?

   • He believes the American people and their experiment in liberty and self-government benefit from this expansion.
     
     
     

Source 2: Excerpt from a Mexican Perspective on the U.S.-Mexican War (1848)

1. How does this author describe the American actions?

   • The author describes American actions as an "invasion," driven by "aggressive ambitions" and "unbridled avarice," lacking regard for international law and human rights.

2. What is the main grievance or complaint expressed?

   • The main grievance is the unjust conquest and loss of vast Mexican territory, which they view as a result of American greed and a betrayal of their claimed civilized and democratic values.

3. What impact does this source suggest Manifest Destiny had on Mexico?

   • This source suggests Manifest Destiny led to a severe, painful loss of territory for Mexico, caused by aggressive and unethical expansionist policies.
     
     
     

Source 3: Native American Perspective - Chief Seattle (Potawatomi) - Attributed Speech (1854)

1. How does Chief Seattle describe the Native American relationship with the land?

   • Chief Seattle describes a deep spiritual connection to the land, where every part is sacred and cannot be bought or sold. It is tied to the memory and experience of his people.

2. How does this perspective contrast with the view presented by O\ Sullivan?

   • It contrasts sharply. O\ Sullivan sees land as something to be possessed and exploited for growth and liberty, while Chief Seattle sees it as a living entity to be respected and cherished, not owned or plundered.

3. What future does Chief Seattle foresee if the "white man" continues his actions?

   • He foresees environmental destruction, where the "white man\s" appetite will "devour the earth and leave behind only a desert," indicating a loss of natural resources and traditional ways of life.
     
     
     

Source 4: An Abolitionist\s View on Texas Annexation (1845)

1. What is the abolitionist\s primary concern regarding the annexation of Texas?

   • The primary concern is that the annexation of Texas, a slaveholding territory, is a scheme to extend and perpetuate slavery, thereby increasing the power of the slaveholding interest in the U.S. government.

2. How does this concern relate to the ideals of "human liberty" and the "republic"?

   • The abolitionist sees the expansion of slavery as a direct threat to the ideals of "human liberty" and a "blot upon the escutcheon of the republic," betraying its founding principles and leading towards "despotism."

3. What does this source suggest about the internal conflicts within the U.S. regarding westward expansion?

   • This source highlights that westward expansion was not universally supported and was deeply intertwined with the divisive issue of slavery, leading to significant internal conflicts and moral debates within the United States.
     
     
     

Reflection Question:

Considering all four sources, how does examining multiple perspectives change your understanding of Manifest Destiny?

• (Answers will vary but should address the idea that Manifest Destiny was not a universally accepted or purely beneficial concept. It involved complex motivations, had vastly different impacts on various groups (Americans, Mexicans, Native Americans, enslaved people), and led to significant moral and political conflicts. Students should demonstrate an understanding that history is multifaceted and requires considering diverse voices to grasp the full picture.)