Manifest Destiny

Manifest: readily perceived by the eye or the understanding; evident; obvious; apparent

Destiny: the predetermined, usually inevitable or irresistible, course of events.

1776

1803

1845

• By 1872, the U.S. had already expanded to the Pacific Ocean

• This painting celebrates what had already happened.

What do you notice about this 1816 map?

“To present a picture of it was desirable in every point of view. The map so constructed, shows at a glance the whole extent of the United States territory from sea to sea; and in tracing the probable expansion of the human race from east to west, the mind finds an agreeable resting place on its western limits. The view is complete, and leaves nothing to be wished for. It also adds to the beauty and symmetry [balance] of the map; which will, it is confidently believed, be found one of the most useful and ornamental [decorative] works ever executed [created] in this country.”

–John Melish, 1816

Discuss with a partner…

• According to Melish, why did he decide to draw the map of the U.S. this way?

Discuss with a partner…

• How does this relate to Manifest Destiny?

John O’Sullivan

“Texas has been absorbed into the Union in the inevitable fulfillment of the general law which is rolling our population westward…too evident to leave us in doubt of the manifest design of Providence in regard to the occupation of this continent. It was disintegrated from Mexico in the natural course of events, by a process perfectly legitimate on its own part, blameless on ours; and in which all the censures due to wrong, perfidy and folly, rest on Mexico alone…”