Manifest Destiny: White, Protestant Americans In The 19th Century

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What did "Manifest Destiny" mean? How did white, Protestant Americans in the mid-nineteenth century define progress, and who or what got left out of that definition? Why did they believe their version of "progress" was divinely ordained?

In the 19th century, Manifest Destiny was a belief or attitude that the United States was divinely destined to expand and settle across North America and to impart Protestant beliefs and ideas. Manifest Destiny was not an official political policy, but a concept that was embraced by many Americans as they moved westward to claim land.
The settlers that traveled across the plains westward had a rough journey. They believed their destination to the west was their destiny, but it was challenging. They saw hope in their struggles, knowing they were being led by God. A great illustration is displayed in a painting by Albert Bierstadt, called Emigrants Crossing the Plains. The colors are beautiful reds, oranges, yellows, browns and grays. There were lights coming between the trees, and large rock outcroppings. There are stage coaches full of settlers attempting to move westward. There is hope and despair in the picture as it displays beauty and unsettlement simultaneously. …show more content…
Luke Lea, Indian Commissioner recommended the Indian race live in a place where they could be controlled. That they should be supplied with a permanent home, agricultural tools, clothing, education and religious teachings. Each tribe to have well-defined boundaries assigned to them and to pursue a civilized life. The white men made the laws for the Indian people and moved them from their homelands to the
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