America’s Destiny: “Manifest Destiny” What was America’s “Manifest Destiny” in the 1800s? To preview what we will be learning in the next few weeks, enjoy this rap on Manifest Destiny! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qrjg9ulR-xo After we watch, be ready to answer: Who benefited from “Manifest Destiny”? Who suffered because of “Manifest Destiny”?

NOTES: What Caused Manifest Destiny? Fill in your guided notes as we discuss!

Defining Manifest Destiny No nation ever existed without some sense of national destiny or purpose. In the 1800’s, Americans started to believe that westward expansion (settling land west of the Mississippi River) was our nation’s destiny. People started to use the phrase “Manifest (obvious) Destiny” as a way to describe the desire to expand the U.S. all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

Check your Understanding: Key Term! According to Americans in the 1800’s, what was our manifest destiny?

Geographic Cause for Manifest Destiny In 1803, Thomas Jefferson expanded the geographic territory of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase— the territory west of the Mississippi River, formerly a French colonial region, was now the property of the United States. By the mid-1800s, America’s Manifest Destiny had been fulfilled. See the map 

America Fulfills its Destiny

Political Cause of Manifest Destiny The people of the United States felt it was their political mission, their duty, to extend the "boundaries of freedom" by spreading civilization and democracy across the continent. Americans believed that democracy was the best form of government. They also believed that the innovations of the Industrial Revolution had improved their lives and the wanted to spread that technology into new parts of the nation.

Check your Understanding of Key Ideas! What was the Louisiana Purchase? What did Americans want to spread across the continent? Why?

Economic Causes for Manifest Destiny Americans also had economic interests in spreading westward. For many Americans, owning land represented wealth, independence, and freedom. Expansion into the west would bring opportunities for white Americans to improve their lives and expand their wealth through farming or by finding gold.

The Pioneer Spirit America, Story of Us: Westward https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tArUrBBU MV4 16:30 to 20:10

Economic Causes for Manifest Destiny American merchants also wanted to settle the west coast and build new ports—this would give them the advantage of trading across the Pacific with countries in Asia!

Check your Understanding! In the boxes below, draw a visual image to represent each of the economic causes for Manifest Destiny.  

Social Causes for Manifest Destiny There were also social reasons for westward expansion. The Industrial Revolution had led to rapid urbanization and a huge growth in population. The U.S. population had grown from 5 million, in 1800, to 23 million by 1850! The overcrowded cities could not accommodate the exploding populations; so many Americans sought their fortunes by traveling west and settling in the wide open land.

Check your Understanding! How did the Industrial Revolution encourage Manifest Destiny?

ACTIVITY: OPTIC Analysis   Overview: Parts: (circle parts of the picture) Title: Importance: Connection:

Check yourself! As we go through the following questions, hold up your A-D letter card to give your answer. Success points will be awarded to teams demonstrating 100% participation and accuracy.

1. The Louisiana Purchase helped Americans to… Become allies with the French Expand west of the Mississippi River End the War of 1812 Improve their Industrial economy

CORRECT ANSWER: 1. The Louisiana Purchase helped Americans to… Become allies with the French Expand west of the Mississippi River End the War of 1812 Improve their Industrial economy

2. Which of the following was an economic cause for Manifest Destiny? The desire to spread democracy and civilization The Louisiana Purchase Overcrowding in cities The desire to own land and search for gold

CORRECT ANSWER: 2. Which of the following was an economic cause for Manifest Destiny? The desire to spread democracy and civilization The Louisiana Purchase Overcrowding in cities The desire to own land or search for gold

3. Manifest Destiny is the belief that… America is destined to be the most powerful nation America must expand westward toward the Pacific Ocean Native Americans should be expelled from their territory Slavery should expand to new states in the west

CORRECT ANSWER: 3. Manifest Destiny is the belief that… America is destined to be the most powerful nation America must expand westward toward the Pacific Ocean Native Americans should be expelled from their territory Slavery should expand to new states in the west

4. Which innovation of the Industrial Revolution encouraged westward settlement? The Cotton Gin The Powered Loom The Steamship The Railways

CORRECT ANSWER: 4. Which innovation of the Industrial Revolution encouraged westward settlement? The Cotton Gin The Powered Loom The Steamship The Railways