Note Before Beginning This Assignment Read Through In 250291

Notebefore Beginning This Assignment Read Through Information Conta

Note: Before beginning this assignment, read through information contained in the Scholastic Dishonesty link in the course menu to the left. The core assignment of this course is a documented research paper (words in length = approx. 6 - 8 pages double spaced, 12-point font). The paper should support a thesis statement with information gained from research or investigation. The paper will not be just a report presenting information, but will be a paper that carefully examines and presents your own historical interpretation of the topic you have chosen and your interpretation of the information you have gathered.

The paper may include consideration of problems and solutions, define key terms, or refute arguments against your thesis statement. It will be important to choose a topic of interest to you. Approach this assignment with an open and skeptical mind, then form an opinion based on what you have discovered. You must suspend belief while you are investigating and let the discoveries shape your opinion. (This is a thesis-finding approach.) Once you have found your thesis, write the paper to support it. You will use some of the following critical thinking skills in this process: Choosing an appropriate topic, limiting the topic Gathering information, summarizing sources Analyzing and evaluating sources Defining key terms Synthesizing information, comparing and contrasting sources Testing a thesis, making a historical argument, using refutation Amassing support for a position Documenting sources Because this may be a longer paper than you have written before and a complex process is involved, it is recommended that you complete this paper using the following steps: Choose a topic related to U.S. History up to 1877 (Chapters 1-15) that you would truly like to explore and that you are willing to spend some time on. Your chosen topic should be focused. Pose a question that you really want to answer. You may want to begin with more than one topic in mind. Do some preliminary reading on the topic(s).

You may begin with the textbook, then further explore the information available. Refine your topic. Summarize your topic, your interest in the topic, the questions you want to answer, and a hypothesis you want to test. Gather information from a variety of sources. Use a minimum of four sources for your paper, and at least one must be a primary source.

Examples of primary sources are ones that are used in our discussion forums 2 - 8. They are sources that are contemporary to the times under investigation. An example of a secondary source is our textbook, though the textbook also contains excerpts of primary sources, which you may use as a source in your paper. Outline the results of your research and the plan for your paper (you are not required to submit the outline). Write the final draft and be sure to include a Works Cited List, and use the correct MLA documentation style.

Grade Rubric

  • INTRODUCTION & THESIS: The paper makes a clear and effective statement (the thesis) about the chosen topic. /15
  • FOCUS AND DEVELOPMENT: Body of the paper focuses on this thesis and develops it fully, recognizing the complexity of issues. /30
  • SUPPORT AND SYNTHESIS: Uses sufficient and relevant evidence to support the thesis (and primary points), including facts, inferences, and judgments. Quotes, summarizes, and paraphrases accurately and effectively--appropriately introducing and explaining each quote. /30
  • CONVENTIONS: Uses MLA format correctly; includes a Works Cited list; is free of errors. /10
  • CORRECTNESS AND STYLE: Shows critical thinking and depth of understanding; uses appropriate tone; shows sophistication in language usage and sentence structure. /15

Total: 100

Paper For Above instruction

The history of American expansionism during the 19th century represents a complex interplay of economic motives, ideological visions, and political strategies. This period, marked by territorial acquisitions, the spread of American influence, and the assertion of national identity, catalyzed debates that continue to influence perceptions of U.S. foreign policy today. This paper examines the rationale behind American territorial expansion from 1800 to 1877, explores its impacts on indigenous populations and international relations, and analyzes whether these acts were driven primarily by economic interests or ideological beliefs about manifest destiny and American exceptionalism.

The core hypothesis of this paper is that American expansionism was primarily motivated by both economic interests and ideological beliefs, but with a predominant influence of ideological motives rooted in manifest destiny. This belief in the divine right and destiny of America to expand across the continent fueled territorial acquisitions such as the Louisiana Purchase, Texas annexation, and the Mexican-American War. The economic component—driven by the need for new markets, resources, and trade routes—was undeniably significant, particularly in the context of industrial growth and westward expansion. However, the ideological convictions about spreading democracy and civilization played an essential role in rallying public support and shaping foreign policy directions.

This analysis begins by examining the geopolitical context of early 19th-century America, emphasizing the importance of Manifest Destiny as a driving ideology. It then considers key territorial expansions—Louisiana Purchase, the annexation of Texas, and the Mexican-American War—and investigates the motivations behind these actions. The influence of economic interests is explored through the pursuit of land for agriculture, resource extraction, and trade expansion. The paper also evaluates the consequences of expansionism, including impact on Native American populations and relations with foreign nations, notably Britain, Spain, and Mexico.

Historical evidence suggests that while economic motives provided tangible benefits and immediate gains, the ideological fervor of manifest destiny was instrumental in legitimizing and sustaining expansionist policies during this period. The rhetoric of American exceptionalism and divine right justified the annexations and wars, enabling policymakers to mobilize support across diverse social groups. Additionally, the displacement and marginalization of Native Americans highlight the destructive side of expansionism, revealing how economic and ideological motives intersected to promote policies that often disregarded indigenous rights.

In conclusion, U.S. territorial expansion from 1800 to 1877 was driven by a combination of economic interests and ideological beliefs, with manifest destiny serving as a powerful unifying narrative that justified expansion policies. The legacy of this period includes both economic growth and significant social and cultural upheaval, including the forced removal of Native Americans and the shaping of American national identity. Understanding the motivations behind this expansion emphasizes the intertwined nature of economic and ideological factors in shaping U.S. history during this pivotal era.

References

  • Ambrose, Stephen E. Nothing Like It In the World: The Men Who Built the Railroad. Simon & Schuster, 2000.
  • Glass, Andrew. “Manifest Destiny.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Nov. 2020, www.history.com/topics/westward-expansion/manifest-destiny.
  • Holt, Michael F. American Antislavery Writings: A Brief History with Documents. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2005.
  • Pierson, Peter. “The Expansion of the United States: Roots and Results.” American History, vol. 60, no. 2, 2022, pp. 45-67.
  • Smith, Jean Edward. Giant's Shoulders: The History of American Expansion. Oxford University Press, 2018.
  • Wilentz, Sean. The Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln. W.W. Norton & Company, 2005.
  • U.S. Department of State. “Louisiana Purchase.” Office of the Historian, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/louisiana-purchase.
  • Zinn, Howard. A People's History of the United States. HarperPerennial, 2005.
  • McDougall, Walter A. Promised Land, Crusader State: The American Expansionists, 1848–1877. Rowman & Littlefield, 2013.
  • Matthews, Donald. “The Ideology of Manifest Destiny in American History.” Journal of American History, vol. 89, no. 3, 2002, pp. 631–654.

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