American expansion in the 19th century Essay

In the old age betwixt 1830 and 1860, the get together States grew economically, socially, and most noniceably, geographically. In this time period, Texas, Oregon, atomic number 20, New Mexico, and genus Arizona were gained, completing the continental fall in States. Many Americans in the 19th light speed believed this acquisition of territory was a manifest urgency, or event recognised as necessary. They thought it was the destiny of the U.S. to control all land from the eastern hemisphere coast to the west coast. However, I believe that this land was taken as an act of vulturous imperialism on the part of the unite States. Imperialism is the practice of extending the position and dominion of a nation by direct territorial acquisitions of different aras, and clearly America took such(prenominal) of this land by force alternatively than negotiation with other nations. The motives of the United States was not that of expansion, but in hopes of gaining advanced resourc es, land for agriculture, and natural resources. Also, the gain of this territory was far from inevitable.During the 19th cytosine, the United States engaged in conflicts with both Great Britain and Mexico with victories yielding land. Although the leap between Maine and Canada was determined by the Webster-Ashburn Treaty, the battle of the maps between Americans and British spurred negotiations. The secondern circumference of Texas was set at the Rio Grande River following a three year warfare with Mexico, also resulting in the acquisition of the Mexican cession (California and New Mexico). The harm of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo called for the United States to pay Mexico $15 million for this land, but this earnings was more of a compensation for the war rather than buy of land. The United States used force to gain much of the western territory, just as imperialist nations did overseas. I see no difference between the United States taking land from Mexico and France taki ng control of Northern Africa both cases are imperialism at work.The east coast of the United States was well settled and essential by the mid 1800s, but was by no means overcrowded. primarily in the history of America, the government forced Native Americans off their lands to charge its power and authority over lesser people. The theory of manifest destiny seems to be just another show of power. The American people were not desperate for this land, it was more of a novelty. By gaining this land, new natural resourcescould be gained, as proven by the gold rush in California in 1848. The people inhabiting these regions were often not American, but British or Mexican in the case or the Oregon Territory or California, respectively. The completion of the continental United States was not motivated by the motive to expand, but for a desire of power.The term manifest destiny refers to an inevitable event, but the expansion of America was actually avoidable. At one time, politicians su ch(prenominal) as President James K. Polk were set on a member between the Oregon Territory and Canada at the line 5440. In fact, the term 5440 or fight was a popular campaign slogan for the election of 1844. When all was said and done, the boundary between the United States and Canada was drawn and the 49th parallel, much shorter than initially desired. Cuba was considered for purchase from Spain in the 1850s, but eventually this was defeated by antislavery members of congress, as the hard climate and plantations already in existence there would benefit the south alone. Mexican land was also threatened following the war, as Americans captured Mexico City, and umteen Democrats hoped to gain all land under Mexicos jurisdiction. In each of these cases, the opportunity existed to further expand the United States, but more aggressive measures were not taken. America did not have to have any of this spare land.I feel that the idea of manifest destiny is simply a way to rationalize th e United States practice of imperialism in North America. no(prenominal) of the land gained in the 19th century was given to the U.S., it was taken use force and often violence. Financial compensation is irrelevant considering wars took place to eke out the southwest. The government was motivated by the power that could be attained by expanding the size of the nation, motivating many of the decisions regarding territory in this time period. Also, if the article of faith in manifest destiny were held true, the United States would currently encompass much of Canada, Cuba, and Latin America., which is obviously not the case. The actions of our nation in the 19th century were not that of manifest destiny, but in fact aggressive imperialism.