Manifest destiny

Definition

Manifest destiny is a 19th-century belief that it was the divine right and destiny of the United States to expand its territory across North America. This concept played a pivotal role in shaping American national identity and influenced various events, including territorial acquisitions and conflicts with Indigenous peoples and other nations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Manifest destiny was first articulated in the 1840s and became a powerful justification for westward expansion.
2. The belief fueled conflicts such as the Mexican-American War, which resulted in vast territorial gains for the United States.
3. This ideology also led to the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands, exemplified by policies like the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
4. Manifest destiny was tied to the belief in American superiority and a mission to spread civilization, often at the expense of non-European peoples.
5. Opposition to manifest destiny included voices from abolitionists and those who recognized the moral implications of expansionist policies.

Review Questions

• How did manifest destiny shape the policies and actions of the United States in the 19th century?
  • Manifest destiny significantly influenced U.S. policies by justifying westward expansion and territorial acquisitions. It led to wars such as the Mexican-American War, where Americans believed they were destined to acquire lands from Mexico. The idea that America had a divine right to expand fueled aggressive policies towards Indigenous peoples and other nations, reflecting a sense of entitlement among settlers.
• Evaluate the impact of manifest destiny on Native American populations during westward expansion.
  • The impact of manifest destiny on Native American populations was devastating. As settlers moved westward, Indigenous tribes faced forced removals from their lands through policies like the Indian Removal Act. This led to significant loss of life, culture, and sovereignty as tribes were often relocated to less desirable territories. The belief in manifest destiny legitimized these actions as part of a divine right to expand, disregarding the rights and humanity of Indigenous peoples.
• Critically analyze how manifest destiny contributed to both national unity and division within the United States during its expansionist era.
  • Manifest destiny played a dual role in American society by fostering a sense of national unity through shared beliefs in expansion and American exceptionalism while simultaneously creating deep divisions. It galvanized support for westward movement among settlers but also intensified conflicts over slavery as new territories were acquired. Debates over whether these territories would permit slavery ultimately contributed to sectional tensions, which culminated in the Civil War. Thus, while it united many Americans under a common purpose, it also highlighted stark differences that threatened the nation’s cohesion.

Related terms

Expansionism: The policy of territorial or economic expansion, often associated with the belief in manifest destiny.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: The treaty that ended the Mexican-American War in 1848, leading to significant territorial gains for the United States, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

American Exceptionalism: The idea that the United States has a unique mission to spread democracy and freedom, often linked to the notion of manifest destiny.