Manifest Destiny

Definition

Manifest Destiny is the 19th-century belief that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was both justified and inevitable. This ideology played a significant role in the national mindset, motivating policies and actions that led to territorial acquisitions, particularly in relation to the Mexican-American War and the subsequent Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which formalized the U.S. claim to vast territories in the West.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Manifest Destiny emerged as a powerful justification for westward expansion in the 1840s, rooted in a belief in American exceptionalism.
2. The ideology was used to rationalize the U.S. government's actions during the Mexican-American War, which many viewed as an unjust conflict fueled by expansionist desires.
3. Manifest Destiny contributed to significant demographic shifts as Americans moved westward, leading to both economic opportunities and conflicts with Native American tribes.
4. The phrase 'Manifest Destiny' was popularized by journalist John L. O'Sullivan in 1845, who argued that it was America's divine right to spread across the continent.
5. The outcomes of Manifest Destiny included not only territorial expansion but also intensified debates over slavery, as new states were added to the Union and contentious issues arose regarding their status.

Review Questions

• How did Manifest Destiny influence U.S. policy decisions leading up to the Mexican-American War?
  • Manifest Destiny significantly influenced U.S. policy by promoting the idea that westward expansion was a divine right. This belief justified actions such as the annexation of Texas and contributed to heightened tensions with Mexico, culminating in armed conflict. As politicians and citizens alike rallied behind this ideology, it became a powerful motivator for territorial acquisition and shaped public opinion toward supporting war with Mexico.
• Discuss how Manifest Destiny impacted relations between settlers and Native American populations during westward expansion.
  • Manifest Destiny led to an aggressive push for settlement in Western territories, often at the expense of Native American populations. The belief that Americans had a right to occupy these lands justified numerous policies that resulted in displacement, violence, and loss of cultural heritage for Indigenous peoples. As settlers moved westward under this ideology, conflicts erupted over land rights, leading to forced removals and treaties that were frequently broken by the U.S. government.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of Manifest Destiny on American identity and its effects on future U.S. foreign policy.
  • The long-term implications of Manifest Destiny have been profound in shaping American identity as one rooted in expansionism and exceptionalism. This ideology fostered a national mindset that viewed territorial acquisition as a moral imperative, laying groundwork for future interventions abroad. In subsequent decades, this belief system influenced U.S. foreign policy decisions, reinforcing notions of superiority and entitlement in dealings with other nations, ultimately shaping global perceptions of America.

Related terms

Annexation of Texas: The process by which the Republic of Texas was incorporated into the United States in 1845, a key event that fueled tensions between the U.S. and Mexico.

Oregon Trail: A major route used by thousands of settlers moving westward in the 1840s and 1850s, embodying the spirit of westward expansion associated with Manifest Destiny.

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, and parts of Colorado, Utah, and Nevada.