Manifest Destiny

Please respond to the following discussion topic and submit it to the discussion forum as a single post. Your initial post should be 75-150 words in length. Then, make at least two thoughtful responses to your fellow students' posts. If you haven't recently, please review the Rules of Discussion.

Manifest Destiny is a phrase used by politicians in the mid 1800s to explain the North American continental expansion by the United States. Manifest Destiny said it was "Gods will" and the mission of the American people to extend the "boundaries of freedom" to others by imparting their idealism and belief in democratic institutions to those who were capable of self-government.

It excluded those people who were perceived as being incapable of self-government, such as Native American people and those of non-European origin, one being the Mexican people to the south of the United States.

While this was going on in the United States, Mexico was struggling to establish itself as a new nation, having recently achieved its independence from Spain in 1821.

The challenges were many as the newly formed country suffered terribly from the struggle with Spain. With its independence from Spain, Mexico won vast northern territories (the areas of what is now Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California today), the majority of which was extremely underpopulated.

Some say it was at this time, the U.S. took advantage of Mexico's struggling state and through the policy of Manifest Destiny, stole these possessions of Mexico. As was discussed in the text this week, many Mexicans refer to the U.S. States of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California as "losestadosocupados de México del norté" or "the occupied states of North Mexico."

Watch the following videos; one being a history lesson on the events whereby the U.S. took possession of the U.S. States of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, and the second being a commentary whereby the commentator also reviews the history of America's Manifest Destiny and basically says because of the way America went about securing the U.S. States of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, we (the U.S.) should be more open to immigration (and citizenship) into this country from Mexico.

The Mexican-American War in 5 Minutes

Mexican-American War: Disputed Territory

In your initial post, discuss the history and the concept of "Manifest Destiny" and how that policy was applied to America's expansion, specifically with the acquisition of the U.S. States of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California from Mexico.

Finally, considering the information you learned about Manifest Destiny, do you agree with the YouTube commentator that we (the U.S.) should be more open to immigration (and citizenship) into this country from Mexico?
If so, why? If not, why?

Also post your thoughts on how many of the Mexican people see, and refer to, the U.S. States of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California as "losestadosocupados de México del norté" or "the occupied states of North Mexico." Are they correct?

If so, why? If not, why?

Take a stand and defend your position.