Use the articles below to complete the assignment on Manifest Destiny.
John L. O’Sullivan – The Great Nation of Futurity
James K. Polk – Inaugural Address
Chief Joseph – My Son, Stop Your Ears
Read O’Sullivan’s article and answer the following…
1. What “evidence” does O’Sullivan use to justify his claim that the United States is “the great nation of futurity”?
2. What groups of people does O’Sullivan seemingly disregard when he proclaims the United States as “the nation of progress, of individual freedom, of universal enfranchisement”?
Now read James K. Polk’s inaugural address and do the following…
3. After reading John L. O’Sullivan’s article and James K. Polk’s inaugural address. Create a short statement on points of similarity and difference between these two proponents of Manifest Destiny.
Finally, read Chief Joseph’s speech to the US Congress. Answer the following…
4. Using evidence from the three documents what was the philosophy behind America’s westward expansion during the mid-1800s?
5. How did it affect Native Americans?