Ensign and Thayer, "An American Exhibiting to the Sovereigns of Europe the Progress of His Country" (1848). Courtesy of Cartography Associates, San Francisco, CA.

Inventing Destiny:
Exploring the Cultures of US Expansion

Recognizing that conventional studies of US expansion chronicle political, diplomatic, economic, and military imperatives, this collection will provide a forum for the growing number of scholars who examine the subject from non-traditional perspectives. Among other potential themes, the contributors will show how narratives of empire and conquest formed within the convergence of both low and high cultures--collaborations between the actors on the ground and policy/cultural leaders. They examine a variety of source materials such as artwork, literature, geospatial analysis as well as offer fresh readings of historical texts. Instead of dwelling on the familiar narratives of “manifest destiny” or “the vanishing Indian,” this anthology will identify and explore the less-remembered fictions of expansion, seek a better understanding of the anti-expansionist response, and uncover the resistance of those who were victims of US territorial aggrandizement. The 12 contributing authors represent diverse experiences and specializations. They include established experts in the field along with emerging scholars, working within the disciplines of history, literary criticism, art history, and religious studies. Their projects reflect the many perspectives that multidisciplinary studies offer, featuring their analysis of the rich and varied discourses that epitomize the current trends in the study of US expansion. This anthology is under contract with the University Press of Kansas, projected for Fall 2019.