How violent in reality was Manifest Destiny? If it was so violent, why might it seem l

Essay Question: How violent in reality was Manifest Destiny? If it was so violent, why might it seem like most of the country seems to overlook it?

These are some questions you should ask yourself:

What are your personal feelings on Manifest Destiny and how might that affect your answer?

Was Manifest Destiny inevitable? What groups may have opposed it?

Could it be justified in most peoples’ minds and that’s why it’s overlooked?

Essays should begin with an introduction that contains general information about the topic. Your thesis statement should be one to two sentences at the end of your introduction or it can be a small stand-alone paragraph after the introduction. While it may seem difficult, remember, not only should you have enough evidence, you also can write about how you feel about the evidence and what you think the evidence implies.

These questions should help you gather information from that primary source document.

Any details, no matter how small, should be noted if you think they help answer the question.

Who’s the big lady? Who might she represent? Who’s marching with her? Who’s running away?
What does this painting tell you about the general feeling of Americans about westward expansion during the 1800s?
Read up on Gast, could there be any sarcasm in this painting?
Pictures are very subjective so any interpretation should be backed up by evidence and argument.

You should gather relevant data besides this primary source to enhance your argument. Include major events that are a part of Manifest Destiny: Texas annexation, Mexican-American War, Gold Rush, Oregon Trail, Trail of Tears, etc.