Question

The American people having derived their origin from many other nations… our national birth was the beginning of a new history… which separates us from the past and connects us with the future only; we may confidently assume that our country is destined to be the great nation of futurity.
America is destined for better deeds…
The expansive future is for our history. We are entering on its untrodden space, with the truths of God in our minds… We are the nation of human progress, and who will, what can, set limits to our onward march? Providence is with us, and no earthly power can.
The far-reaching, the boundless future will be the era of American greatness. In its magnificent domain of space and time, the nation of many nations is destined to manifest to mankind the excellence of divine principles…
Yes, we are the nation of progress… This is our high destiny… we must accomplish it. All this will be our future history, to establish on earth the moral dignity and salvation of man... For this blessed mission to the nations of the world has America been chosen… Who, then, can doubt that our country is destined to be the great nation of futurity?
It is well known that for a number of years past we have been harassed by a series of vexations…
We [have been] stripped of every attribute of freedom... Our property may be plundered before our eyes; violence may be committed on our persons; even our lives may be taken away… We are disfranchised. We are deprived of membership in the human family! We have neither land nor home, nor resting place that can be called our own.
We are overwhelmed! Our hearts are sickened… when we reflect on the condition in which we are placed, by the audacious practices of men…
We cannot but contemplate the enforcement of these laws, against our consent, as an act of injustice and oppression… And, therefore, we appeal with confidence to the justice, the compassion, of your honorable bodies, against the enforcement of the provisions of this compact…
On your sentence, our fate is suspended... On your kindness, on your humanity, on your compassion, we rest our hopes. To you we address our prayers. Spare our people.

The year is 1845 and the United States is rapidly growing and expanding westward. Do you support or oppose Manifest Destiny? Think about who will benefit and who will suffer from the expansion of the U.S. Your poster should persuade people to either support or oppose Manifest Destiny and westward expansion. Use evidence from the primary sources used in today’s lesson to create your poster.


MUST HAVES:
Catchy title or slogan (15 points)
States whether you support or oppose Manifest Destiny (10 points)
Includes at least TWO pieces of evidence from today’s lesson to support your opinion (40 points)



short 7th grade answer

Answer 1

Title/Slogan: Manifest Injustice — Stop Manifest Destiny!

I oppose Manifest Destiny.

Evidence 1: The expansion is defended by leaders who say “Providence is with us, and no earthly power can,” using religion to justify taking land.
Evidence 2: People already living in those lands warn we will be hurt: “We are stripped of every attribute of freedom... Our property may be plundered before our eyes; violence may be committed on our persons; even our lives may be taken away.”

Why oppose? Westward expansion may help some settlers and politicians, but it will cause great harm — loss of homes, freedom, and lives for Native Americans and others who already live there. We should not use “destiny” as an excuse to take land and hurt people. Say no to Manifest Destiny and protect the rights and homes of everyone.