Manifest Destiny

Mining gold was a grueling and dangerous process, and due to accidents, malnutrition, and disease, many immigrants died. Though they were legally citizens, they were not treated as such. The South argued that expansion would free up a lot of land for agriculture and manufacturing, which would help the stability of the economy. Americans who were against expansion debated that it was unconstitutional. Anti-expansionists argued that Indian treaties would be broken and that this would lead to a rise in Indian attacks in the West. Lastly, the California Gold Rush proved to have many negative outcomes. Some Americans believed that expanding west would produce a nation too large to govern. Abolitionists worried that expansion would lead to more slavery, which would impede the new manufacturing industry. They argued that expanding would help rid the United States of foreign influences and at the same time, make America look stronger in the eyes of the world. Supporters said that it would bring economic stability and provide access to ports along the Pacific Ocean. Many withdrew from this idea, however, because they were convinced by Black abolitionists that African Americans could live in the same society as Whites. A concern of anti-expansionists was that expansion would eventually lead to war with Mexico.