Westward Expansion Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Westward Expansion - Research Paper Example It is vital to note that manifest destiny was not an official government policy but it led to enactment and passage of policies such as the Homestead Act, which in turn motivated colonization of the West and acquisition of territories. More so, it played a vital part in the American thought of 1800s. An American newspaper editor known as John O’Sullivan was the first person to use the term manifest destiny when he was writing about the proposed annexation of Texas. It was stated that the American manifest destiny was to dominate and over-spread the continent in that via this expansion, America could be recognized economically, socially and politically superpower. In sum, O’Sullivan stated that American was chosen to play the role of expanding westward and establishing civilization (Woodworth 33). It was argued that it was the role of America to spread democratic institutions and liberty to other parts of the world. The main underlying aspect of this American mission was a strong feeling of racial and cultural superiority. Additionally, the Anglo-Saxon America stressed that they had the right to spread to the west while bringing them ideas of Protestantism and self-government. The American conflict with Mexico coincided with American’s desire for expansion. Mexico that had attained independence from Spain had initially accepted and encouraged U.S settlers in Texas but its ruler Santa Anna banned further U.S immigration. However, when Texas announced its own independence from Mexico, Santa opposed the move and vowed to put down the insurrection. This led to annexation of Texas was very controversial due to the issue of slavery. It was believed that Texas was going to add another slave state thus its bid to join the Union was threatened by the issue of slavery as it was believed that it would divide the Democratic Party. Polk encouraged and supported annexation of Texas because of the Country’s compromise on expansion. The Oregon trial was part of the concept of manifest destiny because manifest destiny was the concept that required America to expand into the western territory. Therefore, the Oregon Trail was the people who were moving or travelling from East to the West. This illustrated manifest Destiny because people on the Oregon trial were travelling and spreading out to the West, which was the central concept of manifest destiny (Rick 41-42). The idea of manifest destiny is well demonstrated in the California gold rush where gold mining led to influx of Chinese immigrants in California. This development was criticized by the Americans who lived in California because they believed that no person from other continent cold conduct business in their territory. The idea of manifest destiny was well illustrated in 1845 when James K. Polk became the president in that he initiated an aggressive expansionist plan. At this time, most of Mexican territories had been inhabited but America ignored this development and di smissed as baseless. More so, many people believed that English speaking Americans, protestant were better prepared and equipped to rule Mexican territories than Spanish speaking Mexicans or American Indians (Anders 64). The United States of America tried to purchase California and New Mexico in 1835. However, the U.S battled in the Mexican-American war, which enabled it to acquire the territories of New Mexico and California. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 During the early 1800s, slavery was the most divisive issue in the United States of America. After the revolution, most States in North of Maryland started programs of slowly outlawing slavery, and in the early years of 1800s, the States that still practiced Slavery were in the South. The Missouri compromise in 1820 was a

Richard Nixion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Richard Nixion - Essay Example It is high time that the American masses must recognize the achievements of Richard M. Nixon as an astute president and a great leader. Presidents like other common people, simply cannot choose the families in which they should be born. Richard Nixon certainly had a troubled childhood lacking in any form of motherly love and affection (Powell, 1999). An ill-tempered father who did not hesitate from exposing his progeny to blatant abuse and intimidation further worsened this situation (Powell, 1999). The battered and gloomy childhood of Nixon was further burdened by his father's panache for endowing his children with grandiose names owing origins to the English kings (Powell, 1999). Hence, Nixon always had to face bitter circumstances on the personal side of his life, giving way to an anxiety driven mindset obsessed by a yearning to win acclaims and honors from the people he intended to serve. Analyzed in such a backdrop, the achievements of Nixon as a man and a leader definitely stand to be tremendous and remarkable. Primarily, Nixon was a polished politician. In fact, there is no denying the reality that Nixon was a politician par excellence, who started exhibiting his tact and ingenuity right from the start of his career (Small, 2003). The politics of Nixon was always a mix of passion and drive. He successfully fructified his very first campaign for a congressional seat by tactfully revealing the left wing affiliations of his opponent. He established himself as a worthy tactician and strategist who was known for his strong anti-communist leanings, a trait that secured his candidature for the vice-presidency in 1952 (Pious, 2002). In the presidential campaign in 1952, he singlehandedly turned the tables against Adlai Stevenson by projecting himself as a champion of integrity and uprightness through a nationwide television address (Pious, 2002). Nixon was a politician who always did his homework. No doubt, the opponents of Nixon always found him a tough and formidable competitor. Even a cursory perusal of Nixon's history as a politician and a campaigner leaves no doubt as to his genius and marksmanship. During the illness of President Eisenhower in 1955-1957, Nixon conducted himself with an exceptional restraint and aptly handled the day- to- day administrative activities. The conduct of Nixon as a vice president and the Eisenhower-Nixon succession agreement meant to handle possible eventualities even today serves as a guiding model for the administrators and politicians (Pious, 2002). As a vice president, Nixon successfully campaigned for many Republican congressional representatives in 1954-1958. The White House always forwarded Nixon as an antidote against the Democratic aspersions regarding being lax on communism (Small, 2003). Nixon stymied the Bricker Amendment intending unprecedented constraints on the presidential powers (Small, 2003). In 1960, Nixon successfully won the Republican presidential nomination. However, he lost to John F. Kennedy primarily owing to the weak economic policies of Eisenhower.