Manifest Destiny

Definition

Manifest Destiny is the 19th-century doctrine that the expansion of the United States throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable. This belief fueled a sense of American exceptionalism and a mission to spread democracy and capitalism across the continent, significantly influencing key events and policies, including territorial acquisitions and conflicts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Manifest Destiny emerged in the 1840s as a justification for westward expansion, advocating that it was America's divine right to expand its territory across North America.
2. The ideology played a crucial role in the U.S. acquiring vast territories through treaties, purchases, and military conflicts, notably leading to the annexation of Texas.
3. Supporters believed that spreading American values would benefit both the nation and the territories being acquired, while critics argued it often resulted in the displacement of Native Americans and others.
4. The concept directly influenced the Mexican-American War, as many Americans saw this conflict as a necessary step in fulfilling their destiny.
5. Manifest Destiny also set the stage for future conflicts over slavery and statehood in newly acquired territories, intensifying sectional tensions leading up to the Civil War.

Review Questions

• How did Manifest Destiny shape the political landscape of the United States during the 19th century?
  • Manifest Destiny significantly influenced U.S. political decisions by promoting expansionist policies that led to the acquisition of new territories. It encouraged leaders to pursue treaties and military action, such as in Texas and Mexico, viewing these expansions as fulfilling a national mission. This belief also affected domestic politics as debates about slavery in new territories arose, highlighting how this ideology shaped both national identity and political conflict.
• Discuss how Manifest Destiny contributed to the onset of the Mexican-American War and its implications on U.S.-Mexico relations.
  • Manifest Destiny fueled desires for territorial expansion into Mexico's lands, contributing to tensions that sparked the Mexican-American War. American settlers in Texas sought greater autonomy from Mexico, which led to its annexation by the U.S. Supporters of Manifest Destiny viewed war as a justified means to expand further into Mexican territory. The outcome of this conflict resulted in significant territorial gains for the U.S., including California and New Mexico, but left lasting scars on U.S.-Mexico relations due to perceived aggression and land dispossession.
• Evaluate how Manifest Destiny affected Native American populations and their sovereignty throughout the westward expansion process.
  • Manifest Destiny had devastating effects on Native American populations as it justified their removal from ancestral lands in favor of expanding American settlements. Policies driven by this ideology often led to forced relocations, broken treaties, and violent confrontations, undermining Native American sovereignty. As settlers moved westward, many indigenous communities faced cultural disintegration and loss of territory, which prompted resistance movements but ultimately resulted in significant loss of life and land for Native peoples across North America.

Related terms

American Exceptionalism:

The belief that the United States is inherently different from other nations, often associated with a sense of mission to promote democracy and freedom.

Expansionism: The policy or ideology of territorial or economic expansion, particularly as it relates to the growth of the United States in the 19th century.

Oregon Trail: A historic east-to-west route that was used by thousands of American settlers migrating to the western territories during the mid-1800s, symbolizing the quest for land and opportunity.