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What Influence Did Manifest Destiny Have On The Americans In The 1800s

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During the 1800s, the belief of Manifest Destiny was introduced. Manifest Destiny was a phrase used to describe the continental expansions of America. The Americans believed God sent them a message to expand territory westward. For many people, moving forward would mean wealth, freedom, and self sufficiency. Manifest Destiny also brought the share of ideas towards Democracy to others living in America at the time. However, Native Americans or anyone without a European origin were considered to be “unfit to govern themselves”. Which influenced the Americans to invade into the lands of the Native Americans. The belief of Manifest Destiny was looked upon as a “positive” liberal movement by the Americans of the 1800s, however it was a deleterious …show more content…

The state of Georgia ignored their autonomy and threatened to steal their land. The Cherokees took this case to the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Marshall declared, “the Indian territory is admitted to compose a part of the United States” and that the tribes were “domestic dependent nations” and their relation to the United States resembles that of a ward to his guardian.”. But, a year later, the Cherokees won the favorable decision, but Georgia decided to ignore the court’s decision. President Jackson also refused to accept Supreme Court’s ruling. However, despite the court’s decision, Jackson obtained the signature of a Cherokee chief, agreeing to move in the Treaty of New Echota. (Indian Treaties and the Removal Act of 1830).The Governor of Georgia, John Forsyth, talks about how Native Americans being, “ A race not to be admitted to be equal to the rest of the community… treated somewhat like human beings, but not admitted” to be men with “civil and political rights” (Stewart 38). In many cases during the discussion of treaties, tribal members had no clue what they were signing for due to the lack of knowledge. Native Americans were encouraged to stop their tribal lives and become more “civilized”. Which encouraged them to stop hunting and gathering and start to become farmers. Americans also encouraged the to become educated in the “American style” or “white ways” (Westward Expansion & Manifest Destiny”). Many Americans believed that Native Americans were “considered heathens”. The only solution to make them “pure” again, was to Christianize the tribes to save their souls. Again, in the state of Georgia, prevented whites working with Native Americans. Even in missionaries. Vermonter Reverend Samuel Worcester decided to take his case to the Supreme Court. John Marshall favored Worcester

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