Manifest Destiny or Genocide? You Decide.

In this episode of The Leftish Agenda, host Eddie delves into the topic of Manifest Destiny and the impact it had on Native American populations during the expansion of the United States. Eddie discusses the belief in racial and cultural superiority at the heart of Manifest Destiny and how it led to the dehumanization, displacement, and disregard of indigenous communities. He provides insight into policies like the Indian Removal Act of 1830 which forcibly moved tens of thousands of Native Americans to designated territories west of the Mississippi River. He also mentions military conflicts like the Black Hawk War and the Second Seminole War which resulted in widespread loss of life and displacement of Native communities. Eddie touches on the role of missionaries in eroding indigenous cultures and government learning initiatives which sought to “civilize” Native American children by denying them their languages and cultural practices. Lastly, he discusses how these actions resulted in a significant population decline within Native American communities, equating to an attempted genocide. This episode of The Leftish Agenda is not just an exploration of a historical concept but a stark reminder of the traumatic legacy it has left behind.