The American Indians were generally peaceful and organized people. They have lived in the continent of what the white Americans know as 'North America' for thousands of years. This developed civilization established unique beliefs, customs and way of life and therefore led a civilised life long before the white American's "manifest destiny", an American dream of a new life. In 1845, democratic leader and influential editor named John L. O'Sullivan gave this movement its name but manifest destiny has always occurred in American history since late 18th century. "Manifest destiny" definitely did not allow the American Indians to experience the fruits of a civilised life and I will discuss the following points:
a) The philosophy of 'Manifest Destiny' was a belief held by many white Americans that the United States was destined to expand across the continent and did not aim to benefit the Native American's in any way.
b) The white American portrayal of this great American dream did not include sharing the land with any natives.
United States
Native Americans flee from the allegorical represe...
Sketch of John L. O'Sullivanc) The things that contributed to the destruction of the American Indian way of life that were brought along with the white American's dream.
The white Americans used 'Manifest Destiny' as their proclamation of superiority and insisted that their conquests merely fulfilled the divine mission that 'a man is impelled by forces beyond human control.' This shows that philosophy of 'Manifest Destiny' was thoughtless that proved the attitude of white supremacy. In an attempt to explain America's thirst for expansion, and to present a defence for America's claim to new territories John L. O'Sullivan wrote: ".... 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.... It is right such as...