Part One, American Government and U.S. Constitution

Lesson 27: The Founders' Sense of Manifest Destiny

(Principle 28)	Name: _______________________

Part II: The Founders' Basic Principles –	28 Great Ideas that Changed the World

Lesson 27 Time: 22:44 [for Sunday, September 21, 2014]

The 5000 Year Leap: 28th Principle, Reading Assignment: (pages 305-310);

The Founders' Sense of Manifest Destiny

Lesson objectives: As a result of this lesson, the student should be able to discuss the following questions/topics:

1. According to most historians, what outstanding feature was common to early Americans? Can you give an example? (Pages 305-06)

Two Parts of Manifest Destiny

o Nation would stretch from sea to sea

[orig meant merely 'from sea to shining sea' / (implies limits within this continent)]

Foundation of God's Kingdom on earth (quote)

- guided by God to America

- mission like children of Israel

2. Can you provide evidence that the founders regarded themselves and their countrymen as master servants rather than a master race? (306-7)

o Design in Providence (J Adams quote)

3. What crime did John Adams say Americans would be guilty of if they abandoned freedom? (307)

o Adams: Failure is treason against world

4. What were John Jay's reasons for believing that America had been the recipient of God's blessings? (307-8)

John Jay [The Jay Treaty]

America: [was not detached and distant territories, e.g. India, Hong Kong]

- connected, fertile land

- variety of soils [AZ=alkaline, Northern= acidic]

- innumerable streams [rivers navigated shipping perfectly]

- navigable waters

- most noble rivers

-easy transportation

5. What events seemed to prove the accuracy of Jay's assessment? (309)

People

- united

- same ancestors

- same language

- same religion

- same principles of government

- similar manners and customs

6. How did James Madison characterize the uniqueness of the American experiment? (309-10)

Country and People were design of Providence

o Never to split

[not copies of other countries, cultures, etc.] [pursued a more noble course]

Successors must improve and perpetuate the Founders system