What is Manifest Destiny
Miscellanea / / July 04, 2021
By Javier Navarro, in Aug. 2017
When the United States achieved independence from Great Britain, a belief according to which the young woman nation had the divine mission of promoting the ideals of freedom and democracy in the world. This belief is known as the doctrine of manifest destiny, in English manifest destiny.
In addition to these ideals, the doctrine was based on the expansionist zeal of the United States in relation to the territories that go from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Mexico was an obstacle to the interests of the United States.
In 1823 the government Mexican decided to open the Texas border so they could enter this territory American settlers in search of new land. This decision was very damaging for Mexico, as the new settlers brought their culture and their language to the new lands and in less than thirty years Mexico lost the territories of Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California. For many Americans, the military victory over Mexico was proof that God was on their side.
The fundamental idea of manifest destiny has a direct relationship with different episodes in the history of States. United, such as the purchase of Louisiana from France in 1803, the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 or the annexation of Hawaii in 1898.
The doctrine of manifest destiny has generated two feelings antagonistic: pride among Americans for understanding that they are the nation chosen by God and rejection in broad social sectors of Latin America
From the American perspective, the doctrine of manifest destiny has legitimized and legitimizes any intervention military over other nations.
In the name of God, democracy and freedom, the United States has promoted military dictatorships in various countries of Central and South America. Consequently, it could be said that this doctrine is the germ of expansionism and imperialism of the United States and, at the same time, the germ of anti-American sentiment in Latin America.
The idea of God's chosen people is not an invention of the United States
Throughout history many peoples have considered that God has chosen them for some purpose. In this sense, it should not be forgotten that the Spaniards of the 15th and 15th centuries considered that the conquest of the New World was done in the name of God.
In the tradition of Judaism, the people of Israel were God's chosen and this belief is based on the covenant between God and Abraham, as evidenced in Genesis.
Photos: Fotolia - mbolina / beug
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