Were genesis (7200 BC) and manifest destiny (1845) the precursors to the environmental policies we have today?

Question

"it is our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty." - written in 1845 by john o'sullivan, editor of the new york morning post.

does this 1845 idea of 'possession' of land still have some impact upon the way we manage the environment in the usa today? has it outgrown its usefulness or do some still subscribe to the idea of manifest destiny in 2007?

the bible states: "God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the air and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." (genesis 1:27-29)

these verses urge dominion and replenishment of the world. people certainly still take the bible literally. how does this commandment compare with manifest destiny in its view of man's role in nature? does either view come close to yours?

Answer 1

"Like the resource it seeks to protect, wildlife conservation must be dynamic, changing as conditions change, seeking always to become more effective."  --Rachel Carson

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike."  -- John Muir

I think quotes from these two sources are more meaningful and relevant for framing the modern day debate on environmental policies.

I don't think the objective of Manifest Destiny was the overuse and destruction of the environment.  O'Sullivan was part of the call for a United States stretching ocean-to-ocean.

Looking at Genesis, I think having been given "dominion" over all the animals of creation comes with it a great responsibility.   To protect, respect and appreciate the uniqueness of all the animals that roamed the waters and the lands.  Which means seeing to their survival.

Maybe it's time to move past quotes...I think it's a good idea if everyone were to pick up Carson's "Silent Spring" and read that cover-to-cover.

Answer 2

Well, the environmental policies of today are "Environmental problems are all made up by liberals" , "The jury is still out on Global Warming", and "Environmental concern is unpatriotic and traitorious".

Where do you find support for them in the quotes you cite?

Answer 3

Manifest Destiny is a vile American ideal that leads Americans on to dominate the world.

Answer 4

I think that you're on the right track with this. I think that with the idea that theGenesis quote you list justifies or at least adds to this sense of entitlement that the earth is our to do with as we want, that all the animals are here for us to "have dominion" over them and control them as we see fit, and we use it as a way to say, no we're right in doing this, that's how we are supposed to behave.

As to manifest destiny, it grew from that selfsame sense of entitlement so yes it could be seen as a precursor, but I don't think it can really be seen as a justification of our environmental policies of today. It was our forebears way of strengthening their position that they should be able to take over the whole of north america (or the whole third that became the US).

have you ever read daniel quinn? i've only read 'the story of B', but it dovetails very neatly with this this idea.

Answer 5

very good Q. l think the bible and human stupidity have make us go into this black hole we are now  with a very dark future with no compassion with animals incuding our selfs. We are suicidals. money is the only important thing in the worl that s what  industrials have in mind they dont think that bills and coins canont  be eaten or drinked ( sorry my english) maybe i dont explain myself good. but i do care very much about conservation