The myth of American Exceptinalism is prevalent in the writing by John O’ Sullivan, “The Great Nation of Futurity.” O’Sullivan states “it is so destined, because the principle upon which a nation is organized fixes its destiny” because our nation was new and being explored,the optimism and hope permiated our area, the U.S. was thought of the land of endless opportunity. Many of the myths explored by Stephen Walt are expressed in the essay by John O’ Sullivan. O’Sullivan belived in manifest destiny, which was the right as Americans to settle in lands in the pioneer American West,. The five myths expressed by Stephen Walt in “The Myths of American Exceptionalism” are realised in the Manifest Destiny by John O’ Sullivan. O’Sulllivan wants to excuse all faults from previous allegiances. He declares a brand new unaffiliated nation which allows civilians to renounce their former cultures and faults. One of the myths expressed in “The Myth of American Exceptionalism” by Stephen Walt is the U.S taking responsiblityfor most of the good in the world ( Walt 5). O’Sullivan states, the expansive future is our arena, and for our history” (Sullivan 1). The idea is that the U.S. is unique and more considerate than other nations.
Myths as in relation to American Studies and American Exceptionalism reveal the beliefs that are unsubstaintiatedthat the American experience is superior to that of other nations.
Tricia's thoughts 
I think this could also fall under Columbo’s argument about thinking critical about internalized myths. Columbo argues that, “Powerful contradictory myths coexist in our society and our own minds” (6). The idea of manifest destiny was that we had a god given right to take land. It was a prideful American right to expand and gain more power and resources. However, now it can be argued that it was essentially genocide and forced assimilation of the Native Americans. Just like Columbo argues, it is important to evaluate intellectual content to raise new question (6).
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