Overview:

        In 1845, a Democratic leader and influential editor by the name of John L. O' Sullivan gave the present day United States the term Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny conveyed the idea that the rightful destiny of the United States was included to make an empire.
        Mexico was just one out of a series of aggressive acts can be tied to America's Manifest Destiny. Talk about Manifest Destiny had many people suggesting that America should assume the role as world power. Manifest Destiny became a disputed philosophy. Here are two examples of the different views of the American people. Manifest Destiny became the rallying cry throughout America, Manifest Destiny became the torch.
        Manifest Destiny is as old as America itself. It has always existed throughout American history. Some people still believe it should be a present topic in the United States. Others believe it has no relation to the " more important" topics, and should not even be thought about.
 

Vocabulary and Identifications

1) Expansionists- people who believe that their countries prosperity depends on enlarging its territory.

2) Manifest- means obvious or clear

3) Destiny- means fate

4) Rendezvous- a prearranged spot for a large gathering of trappers

5) James K. Polk- Democrats' candidate for president in 1844 of Tennessee. He supported Western expanse.

Important Maps

Insert your maps in the table below  with a caption or explanation.
 

This map explains how America expanded during the period of Manifest Destiny.

Biographies of Important People
 

James K. Polk ( a.k.a. "Dark Horse") Image courtesy of  TheWhite House President James K. Polk was the last of the Jacksonians to sit in the White House, and was the last "strong" President until the Civil War. Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina in 1795. He graduated with honors in 1818 from the University of North Carolina. When he was a young lawyer, he entered politics, served in the Tennessee legislature, and became a friend of Andrew Jackson. Polk was a chief lieutenant of Jackson in his Bank war in the House of Representatives. He was a speaker between the years of 1835 & 1839, only leaving to become the Governor of Tennessee. He was a leading contender for the Democratic Nomination for Vice President in 1844. Polk left office with his health undermined from hard work, dying in June, 1849.

Quiz
Quiz Questions
Multiple choice...

1. What year was the term "Manifest Destiny" made official?
      a. 1776
      b. 1844
      c. 1899
      d. 1904

2. Who was president when America expanded westward to the greatest degree?
      a. Polk
      b. Jackson
      c. Jefferson
      d. Washington

3. What war took place to after the US annexed Texas?
      a. American Revolution
      b. Word War One
      c. Mexican War
      d. French and Indian War

4. What was the first territory to be purchased?
      a. Texas
      b. Oregon
      c. Louisiana
      d. Mexico

5. What country ruled Mexico before Mexico won its independence?
      a. Spain
      b. England
      c. France
      d. Germany

Fill in the blank...

6. "Manifest" means ______.

7. "Destiny" means ______________.

8. Where did the term Manifest Destiny come from?
     _________________________________.

9. ___________ stated in this thesis that the frontier shaped American culture.

10. His "doctrine" protected the western hemisphere from European colonization.

Answers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Answers:

Quiz Questions
Multiple choice...

1. What year was the Manifest Destiny made official?
      a. 1776
      b. 1844
      c. 1899
      d. 1904

2. Who was president?
      a. Polk
      b. Jackson
      c. Jefferson
      d. Washington

3. What war took place to get Texas?
      a. American Revolution
      b. Word War One
      c. Mexican War
      d. French and Indian War

4. What was the first territory to be purchased?
      a. Texas
      b. Oregon
      c. Louisiana
      d. Mexico

5. What country ruled Mexico before Mexico won its independence?
      a. Spain
      b. England
      c. France
      d. Germany
 
 
 

Fill in the blank...

6. Manifest means obvious or clear.

7. Destiny means fate.

8. Where did the term Manifest Destiny come from?
  a news paper edited by John O’Sullivan.

9. Frederick Turner  made the Turner Thesis.

10. The Monroe Doctrine was written by James Monroe.
 

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Resources:
Where information was found:
 

World Book Encyclopedia C-CH, World
Book Inc., Illinois, 1998.
*****************************
World Book Encyclopedia N-O, World
Book Inc., Illinois, 1998.
*****************************
The White House Website
http://www.whitehouse.gov
Resources found at this website:
James K. Polk
Some Question & Answers
*****************************
Why We Remember
 
 
 
 
 
 

This page is part of a web project developed by Mr. Cassutto's 7th grade US History class at Sterling Middle School

Student authors:

Shanna M.
Taylor W.
Kyle W.
 
 

To Project Main Page
 

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