Manifest Destiny: An Artistic Phenomenon

Written by: Anna Pafenberg

For one of the first times since settling in North America, American colonists, originally British, had a sense of identity. However, their newfound sense of self was not similar to the stuffy Brits in parliament or their founding fathers. No, it was all about the outdoors. The ideal person in the early 1800’s of America was the outdoorsman, and a man that makes a life for himself. This was called “The Common Man”. 

The reason why the common man was so popular was because the United States was slowly moving westward. The Louisiana purchase and Mexican American War had brought on new land. All the way in 1859, Oregon was annexed from the British and the US had eventually reached the pacific coast. This new land held many opportunities. Mostly, land for farming was relevant as well as the debate on slavery. People did not know if slavery was going to be added in these new states, and if it was or wasn’t depended on its location and terrain. In California, there was no slavery, but many people ventured there for the new gold it offered. In places like Missouri, slavery was allowed, allowing more economic opportunities to those who used the horrific labor. While all this is true, the biggest reason for Americans to move westward was Manifest Destiny in the 1840s. This was basically the belief that it was the Americans duty to move westward because of the urge of God. It was their biblical duty to claim this large expanse of land and tend to it. Basically, they deserved it.

This belief was what led to hundreds of thousands of Americans, or pioneers, to move westward in the 1800s. While this belief led to new innovations and populations, it is important to note how damaging this was for Native Americans who had the land before the United States and even the British. They were driven out of their land and their populations went down dramatically.

It is easier to comprehend the ideas of Manifest Destiny through artwork that was springing up during this time. Artwork by people like Thomas Cole captured the main ideas of Manifest Destiny. His painting features large expanses of land and small humans in it. This exemplified the idea that we are so small compared to the land it is our duty to claim. They also featured clouds and rain in places with Native Americans, confirming the damaging beliefs that they need to be out of our land. Also, with the age of industrialism, trains and elements of technology can be seen populating the land in paintings. 

All in all, Manifest Destiny led to many people moving west, mostly for religious reasons like God urging them to. While it is a fascinating concept that has been signified through beautiful painting and writings, the effects on Native Americans and the land need to be considered when analyzing this time period.