Contextualization

Manifest Destiny was a widely held belief in the 19th century that the United States was destined to expand across the continent. This idea, rooted in the American belief in expansionism, was fueled by various factors such as economic opportunities, territorial claims, and the spread of American values.

The term "Manifest Destiny" was first used by journalist John O'Sullivan in 1845. It quickly became a rallying cry for American expansionists who saw the western frontier as a land of opportunity and progress. This ideology shaped the policies and actions of the United States government, leading to the acquisition of vast territories, including the Louisiana Purchase, the annexation of Texas, and the Oregon Territory.

However, the pursuit of Manifest Destiny had significant consequences for the Native American population and other cultures residing within the acquired territories. The forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands, often resulting in violence and loss of life, is a dark chapter in American history directly linked to the concept of Manifest Destiny.

In addition, the expansionist policies of the United States set the stage for future conflicts, including the Mexican-American War and tensions with other world powers. Understanding Manifest Destiny is crucial to understanding the development of the United States as a nation and its place in the world today.

To gain a deeper understanding of Manifest Destiny, you can refer to the following resources:

• Manifest Destiny: American Expansion and the Empire of Right by Anders Stephanson
• What is Manifest Destiny? - History.com
• Manifest Destiny and Mission in American History - The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Practical Activity

Activity Title: The Manifest Destiny Journey

Objective of the Project:

To understand the concept of Manifest Destiny and its impact on the United States, the students will create a visual journey map showcasing the major events, people, and territories involved. The journey map will allow students to explore the causes and consequences of Manifest Destiny, as well as the key ideas and beliefs that fueled this expansionist movement.

Detailed Description of the Project:

This group project will require students to collaborate and research key events and figures related to Manifest Destiny. Each group will create a visual journey map, starting from the original thirteen colonies and ending with the distinct territories acquired as a result of Manifest Destiny. The journey map should highlight the major events, key figures, and territories involved in the expansion of the United States.

Necessary Materials:

• Poster board or large paper
• Markers, colored pencils, or paints
• Internet access for research
• Access to a library or online resources (books, articles, etc.) for research

Detailed Step-by-step for Carrying Out the Activity:

1. Form Groups and Assign Roles: Divide the class into groups of 3 to 5 students. Each student will be assigned a role: researcher, writer, artist, presenter. The roles can be rotated for different phases of the project.

2. Research Phase: Each group will start by conducting research on Manifest Destiny. They should focus on key events, figures, and territories involved. They should also consider the motivations behind Manifest Destiny and its impact on various groups, such as Native Americans and immigrants.

3. Plan the Journey Map: After the research, students will discuss and plan their journey map. They should decide on the key events and territories they want to include and how they will represent them visually.

4. Create the Journey Map: Using the poster board or large paper, students will create their journey map. They should use symbols, maps, and illustrations to represent the events and territories. They should also include a timeline to show the progression of Manifest Destiny.

5. Write the Description: Alongside the journey map, students will write a detailed description of each event and territory. The description should include the historical context, the role it played in Manifest Destiny, and its impact.

6. Prepare for the Presentation: The presenter(s) in each group will prepare a brief presentation to explain their journey map. The presentation should highlight the key points from the description and explain the choices made in the visual representation.

7. Present and Discuss: Each group will present their journey map to the class. After each presentation, there will be a short discussion to deepen the understanding of Manifest Destiny.

Project Deliverables:

• A visual journey map showcasing the major events, key figures, and territories involved in Manifest Destiny.
• A detailed description of each event and territory included in the journey map. This should be written in a clear, concise, and informative manner.
• A group presentation explaining the journey map and the choices made in its creation. The presentation should be engaging, informative, and well-structured.

Project Duration:

The project should be completed over a period of one month, with each student dedicating approximately 4 to 6 hours to the project. This time will be divided between research, planning, creating the journey map, writing the description, and preparing the presentation.

Project Group Size:

The project should be completed in groups of 3 to 5 students. This will encourage collaboration, division of tasks, and problem-solving. Each group member will contribute to the project based on their assigned role, but all members should be involved in all stages of the project.

Project Writing:

After completing the practical part of the project, each group should write a document following the structure: Introduction, Development, Conclusion, and Bibliography.

In the Introduction, students should provide some background on Manifest Destiny, explain the objective of the project, and outline the contents of the report.

In the Development section, students should detail the theory behind Manifest Destiny, explain the activity in detail (including the methodology used), present and discuss the results (the journey map and the detailed description), and finally, relate the results back to the theory.

In the Conclusion, students should revisit the main points discussed, explicitly state the learnings obtained, and draw conclusions about Manifest Destiny based on their research and the creation of the journey map.

Finally, in the Bibliography section, students should indicate the sources they used for their research. They should follow a standard citation format.

This written document will help students reflect on their learning process, articulate their understanding of Manifest Destiny, and document their sources for future reference.