Why is the "myth" of manifest destiny so pervasive in US history?

Question

[the myth is: indians were savages, americans had the right to expand west, the end justifies the means, and manifest destiny = progress]

why is it so embeded in our culture?

Answer 1

It is much older than American history.
The same attitude was prevalent thruout ancient and medeival Europe. There it was called Right of Conquest.
If you are able to conquor someone then you have the right to do so and rule.
Pretty much it is a matter of fact regardless of right and wrong or ethics and morals.
The strong shall rule over the weaker. Might makes right...pretty basic huh?
You might call it a myth but it is a fact of life in nature. Survival of the fittest.
We never ask, why does the lion beleive in the 'myth' that it is the mightiest in the jungle.
Of course if the native Americans had technology and Eurpoeans were the primitives we would be asking the same type of questions in reverse.
The real 'myth' is the belief that somehow mankind is above and beyond basic laws of nature.
The strong will always rule and the weaker shall serve them.
It is called REALITY.

Answer 2

It was justification for taking land from others. By creating the myth of manifest destiny, they could feel they were not being immoral by stealing and killing because it was what they were meant to do. It is a natural human reaction to try to justify their worst deeds. In this case, it was remarkable successful for a long time as many came to believe that manifest destiny really existed.

Answer 3

Because many Americans still teach the maninfest destiny to their children. They still believe in this cockamamey idea.
SOME people are too full of greed and ignorance to stop and become educated.

Also, because to not believe in it would mean that America would have to admit that it is a nation founded on GENOCIDE!! Like that will ever happen...

Answer 4

For most Americans, the myth of U.S. cultural, religious, political, and social superiority has been so strongly reinforced over the years that it is taken a given, it is assumed. In the language of political science, this is called “reification,” when myths become accepted as reality.

Answer 5

stand up is right in saying the victors write history its quite true, the way christianity portrays paganism etc,

you said it right that it was a myth

Answer 6

An easy way for idiots to make themselves not feel guilty and avoid the subject.

Answer 7

the victors write history. the people who are killed as a result of our expansionist policies do not. thats all there is to it.

Answer 8

You're not going to hear from your ancestors how they stole and swindled their way to the top, are you? You're going to hear how hard they worked and other pap.