Manifest destiny

Definition

Manifest destiny is the 19th-century belief that the expansion of the United States across the American continent was both justified and inevitable. This concept was tied to nationalistic sentiments, suggesting that Americans were destined to spread democracy and capitalism across North America, reinforcing a sense of purpose and identity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The term 'manifest destiny' was first coined by journalist John L. O'Sullivan in 1845, expressing a belief that it was America's divine right to expand its territory.
2. Manifest destiny justified a range of policies and actions, including the annexation of Texas, the Oregon Trail migration, and the Mexican-American War.
3. The belief in manifest destiny led to significant cultural narratives and patriotic literature that celebrated American pioneers as heroes shaping the nation’s future.
4. This ideology also had profound consequences for Native American populations, often resulting in displacement, violence, and loss of culture as settlers moved westward.
5. Critics of manifest destiny argued it was a guise for imperialism, highlighting the moral implications of expansionism at the expense of other nations and peoples.

Review Questions

• How did manifest destiny influence American identity and cultural narratives in the 19th century?
  • Manifest destiny significantly shaped American identity by promoting the idea that Americans were chosen to expand their civilization across the continent. This belief inspired numerous cultural narratives and patriotic literature that depicted westward settlers as noble pioneers. These stories reinforced national pride and a sense of purpose, as they celebrated themes of adventure, progress, and democracy while often ignoring or justifying the consequences for Native Americans and other groups affected by this expansion.
• In what ways did manifest destiny contribute to territorial conflicts such as the Mexican-American War?
  • Manifest destiny played a crucial role in escalating territorial conflicts like the Mexican-American War by fostering a belief that U.S. expansion into Mexican territories was not only justified but inevitable. This mindset led to increased tensions between the United States and Mexico, ultimately resulting in military confrontation. The war culminated in significant territorial gains for the U.S., further solidifying the notion that expansion was a divine right and part of America's national mission.
• Evaluate how manifest destiny reflected broader themes of nationalism and imperialism in 19th-century America.
  • Manifest destiny encapsulated broader themes of nationalism and imperialism by promoting an ideology that equated American expansion with divine purpose. This belief encouraged a sense of superiority over other nations and peoples, reinforcing ideas of American exceptionalism. The pursuit of manifest destiny not only fueled territorial expansion but also mirrored imperialistic tendencies, as it often disregarded the rights and sovereignty of Native Americans and neighboring countries, leading to significant moral dilemmas and conflict within American society.

Related terms

American Exceptionalism:

The idea that the United States has a unique mission to be a beacon of democracy and freedom in the world, often linked to the belief in manifest destiny.

Westward Expansion: The movement of settlers and immigrants into the American West during the 19th century, largely fueled by the belief in manifest destiny.

Louisiana Purchase: The 1803 acquisition of territory from France that doubled the size of the United States, providing land for westward expansion and embodying the spirit of manifest destiny.