The concept of Manifest Destiny played a significant role in the expansion of the United States and had a profound impact on American Indians. Manifest Destiny was the belief that Americans had a mission to expand their borders across the North American continent, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. This belief was used to justify the acquisition of new territories, including those inhabited by American Indians. The expansion of the United States led to the displacement and dispossession of many American Indian tribes, as well as to conflicts and wars between American Indians and American settlers.
Discovery of Gold
The discovery of gold in California in 1848 had a major impact on American Indians. The Gold Rush brought tens of thousands of miners to California, many of whom were willing to use violence to claim land and resources. American Indians were often displaced from their traditional lands and hunting grounds, and many were killed in conflicts with miners.
Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition took place from 1804 to 1806 and was led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The expedition was ostensibly meant to explore the American West and to find a route to the Pacific Ocean. However, it also played a role in opening up the western United States to American settlement and in facilitating the displacement of American Indians. The expedition provided maps and information about the western United States that were later used by American settlers and the US government.
In conclusion, the concept of manifest destiny, gold discovery, and the Lewis and Clark Expedition each had a significant impact on American Indians. These factors contributed to the expansion of the United States, the displacement of American Indians from their traditional lands, and the conflicts and wars between American Indians and American settlers.