Professor Rodrigo Lazo: Manifest Destiny and American Empire
Professor Rodrigo Lazo, Director of Humanities Core at UCI, explores the themes of Manifest Destiny, racial hierarchies, Indian Wars, and American literature. Through a series of scenes and historical contexts, he sheds light on the impact of Manifest Destiny on the American Empire, discussing its implications and the inevitable course of events that shaped the nation. The content delves into the use of light and dark shades in conveying messages, as well as showcasing various minor scenes that paint a picture of progress. Discover the journey of empire building from east to west, the ambitions for the American Empire, and the evolving perspectives on territorial boundaries.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Professor Rodrigo Lazo, Director of Humanities Core rlazo@uci.edu
I. Manifest Destiny and Temporality II. Racial Hierarchies/ Indian Wars III. The Revenant IV. Zitkala-Sa and American Literature
1) How does this image use light and dark shades and colors to convey its message? (form) 2) How do the various minor scenes provide a picture of progress? (content)
MANIFEST DESTINY (adjective) apparent, readily perceived, obvious (noun) an inevitable course of events, something that is predetermined to happen (noun) List of cargo on a ship or truck, also in verb form to keep the list (verb) to make something apparent or to prove
PAGE 53 Besides, it is well known that empire has been travelling from east to west. Probably her last and broadest feat will be America. Here the sciences, and the arts of civilized life, are to receive their highest improvement Elevated with these prospects, which are not merely the visions of fancy, we cannot but anticipate the period, as not too far distant, when the American Empire will comprehend millions of souls, west of the Mississippi.
PAGE 53-54 Judging upon probable grounds, the Mississippi was never designedas the western boundary of the American empire. The God of nature never intendedthat some of the best part of his earth should be inhabited by the subjects of a monarch 4000 miles from them.
1780 1809 we shall divert through our own Country a branch of commerce and add to the Empire of liberty an extensive and fertile Country thereby converting dangerous Enemies into valuable friends. Letter to George Rogers Clark, 25 December ,,and we should have such an empire for liberty as she has never surveyed since creation: & I am persuaded no constitution was ever before so well calculated as ours for extensive empire & self government. Letter to James Madison, 27 April
Wee shall findethat the God of Israellis among us, when ten of us shall be able to resist a thousand of our enemies For wee must consider that wee shall be as a citty upon a hill. The eiesof all people are uppon us. Soethat if wee shall dealefalsely with our God in this workewee haueundertaken, and soecause him to withdrawehis present help from us, wee shall be made a story and a by- word through the world. (43-44)
Notion of a chosen people. God protects Christians from enemies, including Indians Providence as important dimension of expansionism. On them I set no limits, space or time: / I have granted them power, empire without end. The Aeneid I:333-4 - The Father of Men and Gods
-Idea of founding a new country and colonizing a land to the west. -Notion of divine sanction and destiny -Early American leaders, including Washington, as seeing themselves following Rome s example I d never have come if Fate had not ordained me here / a house and home. Aeneid XI: 129- 130
Land speculation. Purchase of land for farming. Squatters. Leads to displacement of native American populations. Population growth pushes people outside of the cities Industrialization with limited mobility, especially for immigrants Search for new markets and resources Extension of slavery into new areas
Edited 1837-1859 by John L. O Sullivan, newspaper editor, political operative, and prophet of Manifest Destiny Featured many writers who became well known, including Walt Whitman.
Our national birth was the beginning of a new history, the formation and progress of an untried political system, which separates us from the past and connects us with the future only we may confidently assume that our country is destinedto be the great nation of futurity 78-79 We are the nation of human progress, and who will, what can set limits to our onward march?...In its magnificent domain of space and time, the nation of many nations is destinedto manifestto mankind the excellence of divine principles (79)
All this will be our future history, to establish on earth the moral dignity and salvation of man the immutable truth and beneficence of God. For this blessed missionto the nations of the world, which are shut out from the life-giving light of truth, has America been chosen. The United States Magazine and Democratic Review
