Manifest Destiny

Definition

Manifest Destiny was a 19th-century American belief that the United States had a divinely ordained right and responsibility to expand its borders and spread democracy and capitalism across the North American continent. This ideology justified the country's territorial expansion and often led to the displacement and oppression of Native American populations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Manifest Destiny was a key driver of the United States' westward expansion during the 19th century, leading to the acquisition of new territories and the displacement of Native American populations.
2. The ideology of Manifest Destiny was used to justify the annexation of Texas in 1845 and the subsequent Mexican-American War, which resulted in the cession of large portions of the Southwest to the United States.
3. The belief in Manifest Destiny often led to the mistreatment and forced relocation of Native American tribes, such as the Trail of Tears, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of indigenous people.
4. Manifest Destiny was closely tied to the concept of American exceptionalism, the idea that the United States was a unique and superior nation with a divine mission to spread its values and influence.
5. The legacy of Manifest Destiny continues to shape debates around issues of national identity, foreign policy, and the treatment of marginalized populations in the United States.

Review Questions

• Explain how the ideology of Manifest Destiny influenced the United States' territorial expansion during the 19th century.
  • The belief in Manifest Destiny, the idea that the United States had a divine right and responsibility to expand its borders across the North American continent, was a key driver of the country's westward expansion during the 19th century. This ideology justified the annexation of Texas in 1845 and the subsequent Mexican-American War, which resulted in the cession of large portions of the Southwest to the United States. Manifest Destiny was closely tied to the concept of American exceptionalism, the belief that the United States was a unique and superior nation with a mission to spread its values and influence, often at the expense of Native American populations who were displaced and mistreated during this period of expansion.
• Analyze the relationship between Manifest Destiny and the practice of colonialism in the United States.
  • The ideology of Manifest Destiny was closely linked to the practice of colonialism in the United States. The belief that the country had a divine right to expand its borders and influence across the North American continent justified the establishment of control over weaker nations and territories, often for economic and political gain. This led to the displacement and oppression of Native American populations, as well as the annexation of lands such as Texas and the Southwest, which were previously under the control of Mexico. The legacy of Manifest Destiny and colonialism continues to shape debates around issues of national identity, foreign policy, and the treatment of marginalized populations in the United States.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of Manifest Destiny on the relationship between the United States and Native American populations.
  • The ideology of Manifest Destiny had a profoundly negative impact on the relationship between the United States and Native American populations. The belief that the country had a divine right to expand its borders and influence across the continent led to the displacement and mistreatment of indigenous peoples, such as the forced relocation of tribes along the Trail of Tears, which resulted in the deaths of thousands. The legacy of Manifest Destiny and the resulting colonization of Native American lands continues to shape debates around issues of sovereignty, land rights, and the ongoing struggles of indigenous communities within the United States. The long-term impact of this ideology has been the erosion of trust and the perpetuation of systemic inequalities that have had lasting consequences for Native American populations.

Related terms

Westward Expansion: The territorial growth of the United States across the North American continent, driven in part by the ideology of Manifest Destiny.

Manifest Destiny Doctrine: The political and cultural belief that the United States had a divine right to expand its borders and influence across the continent.

Colonialism:

The practice of a powerful nation establishing control over weaker nations or territories, often for economic and political gain.