Anglo Expansion, Essay Example

What were the means by which lands were “cleared” of Mexicans and Indians in order to make way for increasing numbers of white settlers in the West?

Among the first settlers of America were Native Americans, and Mesoamericans in Latin America. Their cultures were long established before white settlers came upon the shores. When they first encountered the Spaniards, many believed that were of a new breed of species, and were a civilization considered extraterritorial. (Carrasco 25)  The Native Americans that inhabited the Americas, had settlements that ranged from throughout the Western Hemisphere, in which they had entire cultures, and land that was cultivated to include crops, towns, and modern cities. The settlements of Mexicans and Native Americans have long been exploited and taken over from European and White settlers throughout history. (Acuna 108) Their history has been rewritten to fit the Eurocentric view that Manifest Destiny, an authority from God, has permitted them to take the land and make it their own. Mexicans and Indian lands were cleared to make way for the increased number of white settlers from Western Expansion, due primarily to the view that it was the divine mission of America, to not only be superior to others, but also believe it was their right naturally to move west, and institute Protestantism, and self-government.

Americans have been expanding west for centuries, taking over the lands of many natives through war and violence. However, it was not until the early 19^th century when they begin to push onwards across the continent through Texas and other western states. In the years preceding the Civil War, more than 300,000 Americans voyaged west; traveling by oxen pulled covered wagons. (Manchaca 135) The majority of the Oregon pioneers were adolescent ranch families from the center west, who finished the troublesome excursion in five or six months. A high rate of the California gold-seekers were youthful, unmarried men, who anticipated that would come back to their families as well off men. Antagonistic Indians slaughtered numerous overland pioneers passed on the trail, 17 for every mile, as indicated by one appraisal yet less than 400. The different Indian tribes regularly created a thriving exchange with the whites passing through their territories, and every so often, the tribes would guide the wagon trains, acting as scouts. It was clear that the joint control of Oregon could not proceed inconclusively. Around 5,000 Americans had made the trek to Oregon by the mid-1840s, the vast majority of them settling south of the Columbia River. The soul of Manifest Destiny could not be kept under wraps for long, notwithstanding, and the presidential race of 1844 eventually decided the degree of expansion of the American territory.

The radicalization and the racialization of Manifest Destiney was wrapped in the surmise that Americans that were majority white and European, were superior to other races, which include the native Indians and Mexicans. Before the 1840s, New Mexico and California were largely left untouched by white settlers. (Manchaca 129) It was only inhabited by a small number of Americans, but with the constant reports of prosperity with the gold rush, and favorable land, the increase of white settlers increased dramatically. Oregon also became an attractive destination, and many settlers from the far west came to settle in these states. Even with tales of savagery from the Indians, many of the settlers would be armed with stock ammo of guns in order to slaughter the natives. With the institution of the Indian Removal Act by Andrew Jackson, it gave individuals the authority to forcefully remove the Indians. Indians were not only moved beyond their will, but also not allow to bring court cases against their white counterparts. Many different militias attacked the Indian tribes such as the Choctaws, Chickasaws, and the Creeks, as they forced to move west of the Mississippi. The government spend nearly $500 million to clear the lands of Native American and Mexican tribes to make way for the white settlers. With the backing from the President of the United States, it was an atrocity that was committed that allow for the forceful removal of the tribes from their lands. The resistance was futile, even when some states tried to establish treaties with the tribes for them to leave on their own; they were not left with any choice.

The large Indian population at the beginning of the 19^th century had largely dwindled after the Revolutionary War, as policies from the government allowed the states to clear the lands for new settlements. (Menchaca 128) The aspects of Manifest Destiney largely played a role in motivating the legislatures to take these stances.Manifest Destiny concentrated on prudence of America’s government and citizen. American Exceptionalism was the conviction that America’s history was over the standard and exceptionally “great”. Exceptionalism demonstrated in the convictions of individuals who imagined that God had chosen America to spread their beliefs and cultures. Likewise, numerous individuals accepted that Americans were naturally superior to other races. Supporters of Manifest Destiny accepted that they could dominate and expand as they saw fit. They trusted it was the mission of the United States to spread the democratic system, making a world in the picture of America. Indians and Mexican natives did not fit into this destiny, and therefore expendable to be moved in order to complete this Eurocentric view.

The Mexican and Indian natives were long established in Americas, centuries before settlers washed upon the shore. However, since they more advanced in their technologies and “civilization” they felt were superior. With the backings of the philosophy of Manifest Destiney as well as the government, they forcefully removed the natives, clearing the way for white settlers to inhabit all of Americas. With this philosophy, many Native Americans and Mexicans, lost their lives, lands, and cultures, as they tried to assimilate into the Western society.

Works Cited

Acuna, Rodalfo. 2010. Occupied America: A History of Chicanos.  Seventh Edition.  Pearson. Book.

Carrasco, David. Religions of Mesoamerica: Cosmovision and Ceremonial Centers (Religious Traditions of the World).Waveland Pr Inc 1998. Book.

Menchaca, Martha. Recovering History, Constructing Race: The Indian, Black, and White Roots of Mexican Americans. University of Texas Press. 2001. Book.