Manifest destiny

Definition

Manifest destiny was a 19th-century doctrine that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was both justified and inevitable. This belief was used to rationalize the territorial expansion, asserting that it was the nation’s divine right to spread democracy and capitalism across the continent, often at the expense of Native American lands and other territories.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Manifest destiny emerged as a popular ideology in the 1840s and was closely linked to the idea of American exceptionalism.
2. The phrase 'manifest destiny' was first coined by journalist John L. O'Sullivan in 1845, advocating for the annexation of Texas and further westward expansion.
3. The belief in manifest destiny led to significant events such as the Mexican-American War, resulting in vast territorial gains for the United States.
4. Manifest destiny fueled conflicts with Native Americans as settlers encroached on their lands, leading to numerous treaties and forced removals.
5. The idea contributed to regional tensions over slavery as new territories were acquired, influencing debates about whether they would be free or slave states.

Review Questions

• How did manifest destiny influence American policies towards Native American populations during the westward expansion?
  • Manifest destiny significantly influenced American policies regarding Native Americans, as it justified the encroachment on their lands in the name of progress and civilization. The belief that it was America's divine right to expand led to policies like the Indian Removal Act, which forcibly relocated many tribes from their ancestral homes. This resulted in devastating consequences for Native American communities, including loss of land, culture, and lives.
• In what ways did manifest destiny contribute to territorial conflicts between the United States and Mexico?
  • Manifest destiny played a critical role in escalating tensions between the United States and Mexico, particularly as American settlers moved into Texas and sought annexation. This belief in a divine right to expand fueled ambitions that culminated in the Mexican-American War. The war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which resulted in significant territorial gains for the U.S., including California and New Mexico, reshaping the nation's borders.
• Evaluate how manifest destiny affected social attitudes towards westward expansion and its impact on various groups within society.
  • Manifest destiny not only shaped political policies but also significantly impacted social attitudes toward westward expansion. It fostered a sense of national pride among many Americans who believed they were fulfilling a moral obligation. However, this ideology also marginalized groups like Native Americans and Mexicans, who faced violence and displacement. The prevailing belief in manifest destiny contributed to an era marked by both optimism for growth and deep-seated injustices against those who stood in the way of American expansion.

Related terms

Oregon Trail: A major route that settlers used to travel westward to Oregon Territory during the 1840s and 1850s, symbolizing the movement towards manifest destiny.

Homestead Act: A law enacted in 1862 that encouraged westward migration by providing settlers with land, reflecting the principles of manifest destiny.

Indian Removal Act: A law passed in 1830 that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to designated Indian Territory, highlighting the consequences of manifest destiny.