Manifest Destiny

Definition

Manifest Destiny was the 19th-century belief that American settlers were destined to expand across North America. This ideology was used to justify territorial expansion, asserting that it was both a right and a duty to spread democracy and capitalism. The concept played a crucial role in shaping various historical events and policies, influencing interactions with Native Americans, governance in newly acquired territories, and the motivations of early settlers moving westward.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The term 'Manifest Destiny' was popularized by journalist John L. O'Sullivan in 1845, emphasizing the belief that expansion was both justified and inevitable.
2. Manifest Destiny was used to rationalize the Indian Wars, as settlers believed they had a divine right to take land occupied by Native Americans.
3. Territorial governors often enforced policies reflecting Manifest Destiny, leading to increased tensions and conflicts with Indigenous populations as settlers moved into new areas.
4. The Oregon Trail became a symbol of Manifest Destiny as thousands migrated westward in search of land and opportunity during the 1840s and 1850s.
5. The ideology of Manifest Destiny significantly influenced U.S. foreign policy, contributing to events like the annexation of Texas and the Mexican-American War.

Review Questions

• How did Manifest Destiny influence the relationships between American settlers and Native American tribes during westward expansion?
  • Manifest Destiny fueled the belief that settlers had a divine right to occupy lands inhabited by Native Americans. This ideology led to numerous conflicts as settlers pushed westward, often resulting in violent confrontations and the forced removal of tribes from their ancestral lands. Policies stemming from this belief contributed to events such as the Indian Removal Act and various Indian Wars, marking a significant and tragic period in American history.
• Evaluate how territorial governors implemented policies that reflected the ideology of Manifest Destiny in newly acquired regions.
  • Territorial governors played a critical role in enforcing policies that embodied the spirit of Manifest Destiny. They often prioritized land distribution for settlers while marginalizing Indigenous peoples and disregarding their rights. These governors facilitated the establishment of settlements and infrastructure that promoted expansion, which sometimes involved military actions against Native American tribes resisting encroachment. Their decisions helped shape the political and social landscape of newly acquired territories.
• Discuss the long-term impacts of Manifest Destiny on American society and its implications for future U.S. expansionist policies.
  • The ideology of Manifest Destiny not only justified immediate territorial expansion but also laid the groundwork for future U.S. policies regarding imperialism and interventionism. Its legacy can be seen in how America approached international relations, viewing itself as a nation with a mission to spread democracy and capitalism. This mindset contributed to later expansions beyond North America, influencing foreign policy decisions in places like Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, while also creating lasting tensions related to race, culture, and land rights.

Related terms

Oregon Trail:

A major route for westward expansion that connected Missouri to the Oregon Territory, traveled by thousands of American pioneers seeking new opportunities.

Indian Removal Act:

A law passed in 1830 that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to designated territories west of the Mississippi River.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: The treaty signed in 1848 that ended the Mexican-American War, resulting in the U.S. acquisition of present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and other territories.