5:46d2l.pima.edu
…I LTE
In the 1840s, slavery became the central issue in
American politics- not on moral grounds- but as
the result of territorial expansion; because the
annexation of western regions raised the “fatal
issue”- whether slavery should be allowed to
expand into the West or not.
Between 1840 and 1860, nearly 300,000 men,
women and children braved disease, starvation,
the natural barrier of the Rocky Mountains, and
occasional Indian attacks to travel overland to
Oregon and California. For most of the 1840s,
Mexico controlled what is now known as Texas,
New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. This did
not stop Americans from settling in these regions.
National boundaries meant little to those who
moved west. The 1840s witnessed an
intensification of the old belief that God intended
the American nation to reach all the way to the
Pacific Ocean. It was the nation’s “Manifest
Destiny.”
Manifest Destiny is one of the most powerful of
terms of the 1800s and is associated with the
growth of the United States and its rise to
prominence. It is also tied to darker themes in U.S.
history – racism, aggression, extermination and
imperialism. Was Manifest Destiny an idea or was
it a justification? Did people truly believe in
Manifest Destiny or was it an excuse to attack
those in the way of growth and wealth?
We’ll examine these questions and the motives
behind Manifest Destiny- Need Help?
and
idealistic- by way of personalities you will create5:46
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…I LTE
We’ll examine these questions and the motives
behind Manifest Destiny- both material and
idealistic- by way of personalities you will create
based on individuals who lived and breathed
Manifest Destiny in the 1840s, to their good
fortune or to their detriment. You can create any
individual you like so long as she/he is rooted in
historical facts and lives in the west (or is heading
west) between 1840-1861. Here are some
possibilities:
• You are a pioneer in the Ohio Valley getting
ready to move west (you decide where).
• You are a fugitive slave heading west (you
decide where).
• You are Native American living in the west
(you decide where).
• You are a Mexican Citizen living in New
Mexico.
• You are heading to California to strike gold
(are you a U.S. citizen from the east coast,
or from China, from Mexico, or…?)
• You are a Tejano
•
You are a missionary in the west (You
decide where)
• You are a school teacher in the west (You
decide where)
• You are a politician in the west (You decide
where)
• You are working on the railroad (You decide
where)
You are…?
Need Help?
It’s up to you to choose a
and
backstory You must also choose the year you are5:47
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…I LTE
It’s up to you to choose a gender, age and
backstory. You must also choose the year you are
living in, between 1840 and 1861. This is very
important because it will determine if your
territory has been annexed by the U.S. or is still
under Mexico’s authority. Your backstory should
describe your ethnic background and some family
history.
Your post can be in the form of a journal entry or
entries, a long letter home, part of your memoirs,
or some other written form that allows you to
reflect and share the thoughts of your character.
These thoughts should relate your basic
information (who you are, where you’re
going/where you live and why), and also your
understanding of the territory you are living in (or
heading to). Why is it important to you? How
should it be governed? Who should live there and
why? What is your position on slavery? What
political party do you belong to and why? You
should communicate your understanding of
Manifest Destiny through your character.
Creativity counts in this discussion, but more
important is your comprehension of the themes
presented in Chapter 11, the assigned chapter
resources, as well as additional research. Be sure
to cite all sources. For replies, it’s not necessary to
stay in character.
Depending on your character, it may be
uncomfortable for you to assume some of the
attitudes and beliefs held
Need Help?
in this
period. We all recognize that it is your character5:47
…I LTE
d2l.pima.edu
territory has been annexed by the U.S. or is still
under Mexico’s authority. Your backstory should
describe your ethnic background and some family
history.
Your post can be in the form of a journal entry or
entries, a long letter home, part of your memoirs,
or some other written form that allows you to
reflect and share the thoughts of your character.
These thoughts should relate your basic
information (who you are, where you’re
going/where you live and why), and also your
understanding of the territory you are living in (or
heading to). Why is it important to you? How
should it be governed? Who should live there and
why? What is your position on slavery? What
political party do you belong to and why? You
should communicate your understanding of
Manifest Destiny through your character.
Creativity counts in this discussion, but more
important is your comprehension of the themes
presented in Chapter 11, the assigned chapter
resources, as well as additional research. Be sure
to cite all sources. For replies, it’s not necessary to
stay in character.
Depending on your character, it may be
uncomfortable for you to assume some of the
attitudes and beliefs held by individuals in this
period. We all recognize that it is your character
speaking, not you.
Your main post should be at a minimum of 400
words. Responses are req
discussion.
Need Help?
You must post at least 2 responses and they must