天命论 Manifest Destiny Tiān Mìng Lùn

Content Introduction

中文

天命论 (Manifest Destiny) 是19世纪美国的一种扩张主义意识形态，它宣称美国被上帝选中，注定要扩张其疆域，直至覆盖整个北美大陆。这种信念源于美国早期独特的历史经验和文化价值观。美国建国初期，人民渴望自由和独立，这与欧洲殖民主义的压迫形成鲜明对比，孕育了强烈的民族认同感和扩张的野心。同时，美国广袤的土地资源和相对稀少的人口，也为其扩张提供了物质基础。

天命论并非只是简单的领土扩张，它还包含了对美国民主价值观和文明使命的宣扬。扩张被视为将美国自由、民主和基督教文明带给落后地区、‘拯救’他人的神圣使命。这种理念既为西进运动提供了强大的精神动力，也为其征服印第安人、吞并墨西哥领土等行为提供了正当性。然而，这种‘天命’的背后，是无数印第安人的流离失所和死亡，是无数墨西哥人的土地被剥夺，是种族冲突和社会不公的根源。

值得注意的是，天命论并非仅仅是历史的遗迹，它对当代美国的影响仍然可见。美国在国际事务中的干预主义倾向，以及其在全球扩张中的文化霸权心态，都或多或少地与天命论的遗产有关。理解天命论，有助于我们理解美国的历史、文化和对外政策，从而更全面地认识这个复杂而强大的国家。

拼音

tiān mìng lùn (Manifest Destiny) shì 19 shìjì měiguó de yī zhǒng kuòzhāng zhǔyì yìshí xíng tài, tā xuānchēng měiguó bèi shàngdì xuǎnzhòng, zhùdìng yào kuòzhāng qí jiāngyù, zhì zhǐ fùgài zhěng gè běi měi dàlù. zhè zhǒng xìnyǎn yuányú měiguó zǎoqī dú tè de lìshǐ jīngyàn hé wénhuà giá zhí guān. měiguó jiàn guó chūqī, rénmín kěwàng zìyóu hé dú lì, zhè yǔ ōuzhōu zhí mín zhǔyì de yāpò xíng chéng xiānmíng duìbǐ, yùnyǎng le qiángliè de mínzú rèntóng gǎn hé kuòzhāng de yěxīn. tóngshí, měiguó guǎngmào de tǔdì zīyuán hé xiāngduì xīshǎo de rénkǒu, yě wèi qí kuòzhāng tígōng le wùzhì jīchǔ.

tiān mìng lùn bìng fēi zhǐshì jiǎndān de lǐngtǔ kuòzhāng, tā hái hánbāo le duì měiguó mínzhǔ giá zhí guān hé wénmíng shǐmìng de xuānyáng. kuòzhāng bèi shì wéi jiāng měiguó zìyóu, mínzhǔ hé jīdū jiào wénmíng dài gěi luòhòu dìqū, ‘zhěngjiù’ tārén de shénshèng shǐmìng. zhè zhǒng lǐniàn jì wèi xī jìn yùndòng tígōng le qiángdà de jīngshen dònglì, yě wèi qí zhēngfú yìndì'ānrén, tūn bìng měigéxīgè lǐngtǔ děng xíngwéi tígōng le zhèngdāng xìng. rán'ér, zhè zhǒng ‘tiānmìng’ de bèihòu, shì wúshù yìndì'ānrén de liú lí shìsuǒ hé sǐwáng, shì wúshù měigéxīgè rén de tǔdì bèi bōduó, shì zhǒngzú chōngtū hé shèhuì bùgōng de gēnyuán.

zhídé zhùyì de shì, tiānmìng lùn bìng fēi jǐnjǐn shì lìshǐ de yíjì, tā duì dāngdài měiguó de yǐngxiǎng réngrán kějiàn. měiguó zài guójì shìwù zhōng de gānyù zhǔyì qīngxiàng, yǐjí qí zài quánqiú kuòzhāng zhōng de wénhuà bàquán xīntài, dōu huò duō huò shǎo de yǔ tiānmìng lùn de yíchǎn yǒuguān. lǐjiě tiānmìng lùn, yǒuzhù wǒmen lǐjiě měiguó de lìshǐ, wénhuà hé duìwài zhèngcè, cóng'ér gèng quánmiàn de rènshí zhège fùzá ér qiángdà de guójiā.

English

Manifest Destiny was a 19th-century American expansionist ideology that asserted the United States was divinely ordained to expand its dominion and spread its influence across the North American continent. This belief stemmed from America's unique early historical experiences and cultural values. The nation's founding, emphasizing liberty and independence in stark contrast to European colonialism, fostered a strong sense of national identity and ambition for expansion. The vast land resources and relatively sparse population of the United States also provided a material basis for this expansion.

Manifest Destiny was more than just territorial expansion; it also involved the propagation of American democratic values and a civilizing mission. Expansion was seen as a sacred duty to bring American freedom, democracy, and Christian civilization to backward areas, a mission of 'saving' others. This ideology provided a powerful spiritual impetus for westward expansion and justified the conquest of Native Americans, annexation of Mexican territory, and other actions. However, behind this 'destiny' lay the displacement and death of countless Native Americans, the dispossession of countless Mexicans, and the roots of racial conflict and social injustice.

It's important to note that Manifest Destiny is not merely a relic of the past; its influence on contemporary America is still evident. Interventionist tendencies in US foreign affairs, and a sense of cultural hegemony in global expansion, are all arguably connected to the legacy of Manifest Destiny. Understanding Manifest Destiny helps us understand American history, culture, and foreign policy, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of this complex and powerful nation.

Dialogues

Dialogues 1

中文

A: 你听说过美国的‘天命论’吗？
B: 听说过一些，好像和美国西进运动有关？
A: 是的，它认为美国注定要扩张到整个北美大陆，甚至更远。
B: 这种观点听起来有点霸道啊，这和美国的扩张历史有什么关系呢？
A: 确实，它为美国的扩张提供了意识形态的支撑，但也引发了很多争议和冲突，比如印第安人的悲惨遭遇。
B: 所以说，‘天命论’不仅是一个历史概念，也反映了美国复杂的历史和文化？
A: 没错，它至今仍影响着美国人的世界观和对外政策，值得深入思考。

拼音

A: nǐ tīng shuō guò měi guó de ‘tiān mìng lùn’ ma?
B: tīng shuō guò yīxiē, hǎo xiàng hé měi guó xī jìn yùndòng yǒu guān?
A: shì de, tā rènwéi měi guó zhùdìng yào kuòzhāng dào zhěng gè běi měi dàlù, shènzhì gèng yuǎn.
B: zhè zhǒng guāndiǎn tīng qǐlái yǒudiǎn bàdào a, zhè hé měi guó de kuòzhāng lìshǐ yǒu shénme guānxi ne?
A: quèshí, tā wèi měi guó de kuòzhāng tígōng le yìshì xíngtàide zhīchēng, dàn yě yǐnfā le hěn duō zhēngyì hé chōngtū, bǐrú yìndì'ānrén de bēicǎn zāoyù.
B: suǒyǐ shuō, ‘tiān mìng lùn’ bù jǐn shì yīgè lìshǐ gài niàn, yě fǎnyìng le měi guó fùzá de lìshǐ hé wénhuà?
A: mèicuò, tā zhìjīn réng yǐngxiǎngzhe měi guó rén de shìjiè guān hé duìwài zhèngcè, zhídé shēnrù sīkǎo.

English

A: Have you heard of the American concept of "Manifest Destiny"?
B: I've heard a little about it, I think it's related to westward expansion?
A: Yes, it's the belief that the United States was destined to expand across the entire North American continent, and even beyond.
B: That sounds a bit domineering. How does this relate to America's history of expansion?
A: It provided the ideological justification for American expansion, but it also led to much controversy and conflict, such as the tragic plight of Native Americans.
B: So, "Manifest Destiny" is not just a historical concept, but also reflects America's complex history and culture?
A: Exactly. It still influences American perspectives on the world and its foreign policy, and it's worth reflecting upon.

Cultural Background

中文

Manifest Destiny is a significant concept in understanding American history and its relationship with expansionism.

It's crucial to understand the context of the time, including the rapid westward expansion and the displacement of Native American populations.

The term carries a heavy historical and moral baggage, often used in critical discussions of American foreign policy and cultural dominance.

In formal settings, use the full term "Manifest Destiny." In informal conversations, "westward expansion" or even a descriptive phrase like "the belief in America's divinely ordained expansion" might be used, depending on the context and audience.

Be mindful of the implications of using this term, as it can be seen as controversial due to its association with colonialism and the displacement of indigenous populations. Avoid using it in a triumphalist or celebratory manner.

Advanced Expressions

中文

The concept of Manifest Destiny served as a powerful ideological justification for westward expansion, fueled by a sense of American exceptionalism and a belief in its divinely ordained mission to spread its civilization and ideals across the continent.

The legacy of Manifest Destiny continues to shape contemporary debates regarding American foreign policy, often seen as a justification for interventions abroad under the guise of spreading democracy and freedom.

However, a critical examination of Manifest Destiny reveals the dark underbelly of American exceptionalism, highlighting the violence, displacement, and cultural destruction inflicted upon Native Americans and other groups during westward expansion.

Analyzing Manifest Destiny within the broader context of American exceptionalism and its impact on global power dynamics provides a deeper understanding of the complexities and contradictions within American history and identity.

Key Points

中文

Use this term carefully and thoughtfully, acknowledging its controversial nature.,Understand the historical context of westward expansion and the impact on Native Americans.,Avoid using the term to promote any form of imperialism or justification of colonialism.,Appropriate for discussions of American history, politics, and culture in both academic and informal settings among educated individuals. May be inappropriate in settings where it would be likely to cause offense or misunderstanding.,Common errors include mispronunciation of "Manifest" and oversimplification of its complex meaning. Avoid using the term in a purely celebratory or uncritical way. Emphasize the multi-faceted and often contradictory nature of this concept. Always acknowledge the negative consequences of westward expansion on Native American populations. Avoid generalizations; this term is very complex and has many interpretations.

Practice Tips

中文

Research the historical context of Manifest Destiny in depth.

Practice using the term in sentences that reflect both its positive and negative aspects.

Discuss its implications for American foreign policy and domestic social issues.

Prepare examples of how the concept has been used or misused over time.

Role-play conversations that explore different perspectives on the concept. Engage in a conversation where you actively challenge the use of the term to justify expansionism or imperialism.