Manifest destiny

Definition

Manifest destiny was a 19th-century doctrine that justified the expansion of the United States across the North American continent, based on the belief that this expansion was both inevitable and divinely ordained. This idea significantly influenced U.S. policy and actions, particularly in relation to territorial acquisition and interactions with Native American tribes in the Southwest.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Manifest destiny emerged in the 1840s, fueled by nationalistic sentiments and a belief in American exceptionalism, promoting the idea that the U.S. had a divine right to expand its territory.
2. The ideology led to significant territorial conflicts, including the Mexican-American War, as it justified aggressive expansion into lands inhabited by Native Americans and Mexicans.
3. This belief also played a crucial role in shaping policies regarding Native American tribes, often resulting in forced removal from their ancestral lands to make way for settlers.
4. The concept of manifest destiny was closely tied to economic motives, as expansion promised access to new resources, land for agriculture, and opportunities for trade.
5. Manifest destiny was not universally accepted; it faced opposition from various groups, including abolitionists who saw it as a means to spread slavery into new territories.

Review Questions

• How did manifest destiny influence U.S. relations with Native American tribes in the Southwest?
  • Manifest destiny greatly impacted U.S. relations with Native American tribes by justifying land acquisition through treaties and military force. This ideology led to policies that resulted in the removal and displacement of many tribes from their ancestral lands to make way for settlers. The belief that Americans were destined to expand often dismissed the rights and sovereignty of Native peoples, leading to conflicts and suffering for many tribes.
• In what ways did manifest destiny contribute to the outbreak of the Mexican-American War?
  • Manifest destiny contributed to the outbreak of the Mexican-American War by fostering an aggressive attitude toward territorial expansion. The U.S. government sought to annex Texas, which had gained independence from Mexico, further inflaming tensions between the two nations. Additionally, President James K. Polk's administration actively pursued war as a means to acquire California and New Mexico, areas believed to be essential for fulfilling the nation's manifest destiny.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of manifest destiny on both U.S. expansion and Native American populations.
  • The long-term consequences of manifest destiny were profound for both U.S. expansion and Native American populations. For the United States, it resulted in vast territorial growth and increased economic opportunities but also set precedents for aggressive foreign policy. For Native Americans, manifest destiny led to widespread displacement, loss of traditional lands, and cultural disruptions due to policies favoring settlement and assimilation. The lasting impact includes ongoing legal and social issues surrounding tribal sovereignty and land rights that persist today.

Related terms

Annexation of Texas: The process by which the Republic of Texas was incorporated into the United States in 1845, seen as a key event in manifest destiny and a catalyst for the Mexican-American War.

Oregon Trail: A historic east-to-west route taken by thousands of settlers traveling to the Pacific Northwest during the era of manifest destiny, illustrating the desire for land and opportunity.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:

The 1848 treaty that ended the Mexican-American War, resulting in significant territorial gains for the United States, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and parts of Utah and Colorado.