Manifest Destiny Essay Example

Manifest Destiny Essay Example Manifest Destiny Paper Manifest Destiny Paper Any single statement that is used to describe the past of the United States is a bold one. Americas past is composed of many different events and eras. From reconstruction after the civil war to westward expansion, Americas history is laced with far too many significant events to be explained away or described by one statement. However, if one statement had to be chosen to describe the significance of Americas past, it would have to be that manifest destiny both religiously and politically is the main factors in shaping the United States. History is based on facts that are more often than not tied to dates, but manifest destiny cannot be narrowed to specific dates because it is not an event in the traditional sense. Manifest destiny is more of a phenomenal movement. What is meant by this is that manifest destiny has been a part of this country since its inception, and is occurring today. It is a philosophy that has and still clutches the nation in its entirety, and in fact created what people call American history. The name manifest destiny was given to the movement by John OSullivan. In addition to coining the name Manifest Destiny, he also wrote to defend Americas desire to expand: . the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federal development of self government entrusted to us. It is right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth. With this, Manifest Destiny became the rally cry of America. It was made public through newspapers and essays, and it was promoted by politicians. Eventually Manifest Destiny became doctrine and paved the way for expansion. Manifest Destiny had many different components, with each serving people in a variety of different ways